Squatter with 20 skulls & long rap sheet who sparked serial killer fears is let go & cops give odd explanation for find

After raising concerns about serial killers, a SQUATTER containing up to 20 human skulls in an abandoned building was released and cleared by authorities.

Sheriffs in Jal, New Mexico, carried out a search warrant earlier this month and detained Cecil Villanueva on a different trespassing accusation.

In addition to being accused of squatting at a city property, Villanueva was arrested during an incident at an Allsup’s convenience store.

According to KRQE News 13, he was reported to the police during a “unsettling encounter” with a local homeowner on November 5.

According to the publication, Villanueva “made alarming statements” as the unidentified caller was transporting him and “discarded objects from the vehicle, some of which appeared to be human bones.”

After discovering 10 to 20 human skulls in a dilapidated building where Villanueva was sleeping, the Lea County Sheriff’s Office says they now think the skulls were lawfully purchased online.

Bone fragments believed to have been dumped were also found during searches of the area close to the Allsup’s store.

According to the U.S. Sun, Villanueva, whose age is unknown, has been out of jail after a string of run-ins with the law in recent years.

He was arrested in 2019 on charges of assault, resisting, dodging, or obstructing an officer, and possession of a controlled substance; however, the charges were eventually dropped.

In the same year, he entered a guilty plea to illegal hunting and fishing as well as unlawful possession of protected species, although he repeatedly skipped court appearances before receiving a fine.

After entering a guilty plea to breaking a restraining order against domestic abuse in 2023, he was fined and released on bail with a number of restrictions.

MISSING WOMAN

At first, the sheriff’s office suggested that the case from last month might be connected to the 2019 disappearance of Angela McManes, whose last known residence was close by.

The skulls were discovered by a team of investigators and a forensic anthropologist, they claimed, and the remains were taken to the Office of the Medical Investigator in Albuquerque for examination.

Authorities have since dismissed reports that the town is home to a serial killer and no longer think the bones discovered are related to the McManes case.

“We don’t believe there is a serial killer of any kind. “At this time, we don’t believe there has been any misconduct,” stated Lea County Undersheriff Michael Walker.

You know, the fact that she lived across the street from this burned-out house is just really ironic and probably just a coincidence. And the fact that, you know, this guy who picked up this individual was aware of the disappearance and the boy.”

Authorities now think the bones were probably bought legally online.

Research indicates that no federal legislation forbids the ownership or exchange of human bones other than Native American bones.

According to KRQE News 13, U.S. Skulls Unlimited is the only business that is lawfully washing human heads from donors and selling them to “doctors, nurses, dentists, anthropologists, and people with valid scientific or medical reasons to have them.”

But potential purchasers can also purchase ancient skulls.

When asked why officials issued a press statement stating that the skulls might be connected to the woman’s disappearance, Walker added, “Well, it’s better to give out the information that we know rather than to conceal something that may be in existence.”

In advance of a pretrial hearing next month, Villanueva was freed on a $1,000 bail after entering a not guilty plea to the trespassing allegation, according to the U.S. Sun.

He is prohibited from possessing firearms, purchasing cannabis, drinking alcohol, and going back to the scene of the alleged event.

Lea County Sheriff Corey Hilton also told TV affiliate KOB4 that the public needed to exercise patience as the bones in question were tested.

“It could be a day, it could be a week, it could be several months,” he stated. “We’ll just wait till they give us a word of what they found.”

He continued, “I know our viewers are concerned, but I can tell you, we don’t have a serial killer walking around.”

Contact Lea County Crimestoppers at 575-393-8005 or the Lea County Sheriff’s Office at 575-396-3611 if you have any information about the case.