Skeletal remains found near Fairacres and Picacho west of Las Cruces

Skeletal remains were found in the area near Fairacres and Picacho, law enforcement officials at the scene told ABC-7’s New Mexico Mobile Newsroom.

The Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office is investigating. It is unclear if the remains are that of a woman or a man.

Investigators told ABC-7 two landscape workers clearing brush in the 4500 block of West Picacho found the skeletal remains wrapped in a tarp. Doña Ana County Sheriff’s deputies responded at approximately 11:30 a.m.

The remains appeared to have been found on the southwest corner of a warehouse less than a quarter mile from Fairacres Elementary. There was no school Monday due to the Columbus Day holiday.

Detectives on scene described the remains as “severely decomposed.” It appears the remains were dumped at the location. Detectives have no idea how long the remains were in that location prior to Monday morning.

The remains will be sent to Albuquerque for possible identification, officials said.