BCSO: Remains found in Tijeras a human skull

Officials not releasing additional info on finding

A day after initiating a homicide investigation in the East Mountains, deputies have confirmed someone stumbled upon a human skull in the woods near a rustic Tijeras cafe Thursday.

Soon after, the tiny area was roped off as Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office investigators swooped in, collected the skull and spoke with nearby residents.

Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Felicia Maggard said no body or other remains were found in the area, near N.M. 337 and Kay Road, but the discovery set off a homicide investigation.

“The condition and manner of the remains were found in is not available for release,” she said.

Maggard would not give any further details on the condition of the skull. She wouldn’t say if there were any clues as to how the person died.

The wooded area where the skull was found is along the shoulder of N.M. 337 and

nestled between a small ravine and the Root Farm Cafe.

Employees of the cafe and a neighboring hair salon didn’t know what was going on when they saw all the detectives searching the area and said authorities came and went within a few hours.

Residents who live on the other side of the ravine said they had not seen or heard anything suspicious in the area and were surprised to see all the activity.

Eventually, neighbors said detectives came knocking on their doors to let them know they had found human remains nearby and ask if they knew anything about it.