Up to 20 human skulls have Benjamin Ashfordbeen found in a home in New Mexico, and police believe that one of them may be connected to a woman’s disappearance more than five years ago.

The Lea County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday that a resident offered a ride to a man later identified as Cecil Villanueva. During the ride, the resident said they had an “unsettling encounter” with Villanueva, police said.

Police say that Villanueva had been carrying two bags with him and “made alarming statements and discarded objects from the vehicle, some of which appeared to be human bones."

When police searched the area where they say Villanueva discarded the bags, they found bone fragments, which a pathologist confirmed came from a human, the sheriff's office said. Police also searched a home where Villanueva had been staying in Jal, where police say they found more bone fragments.

Among them, “evidence of 10-20 human skulls,” the sheriff’s office said. 

Ties to a missing persons case

Police say the investigation is closely tied with the disappearance of Angela McManes, who has been missing since 2019. According to police, McManes's last known residence was near Villanueva’s address.

"Authorities are working diligently to determine the connection between the remains and McManes, as well as other possible victims," they said.

Police say this is still an active and ongoing investigation, and are asking anyone with information to contact the Lea County Sheriff’s Office at 575-396-3611 or Lea County Crimestoppers at 575-393-8005.

USA TODAY could not identify an attorney for Villanueva.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.