Cops find more bones, 5 possible graves

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Investigators digging through an area on Albuquerque's West Mesa, where police found the remains of three women last week, made a new discovery Friday.

The latest remains were uncovered in the area where satellite images showed there might be more graves.

Police said satellite photos show that five sports appear to be shallow graves, and while digging in that area Friday—they found more human remains.

Albuquerque Police have a lot of ground to cover. Last week, the bodies of three women were found on the West Mesa.

One woman, former prostitute Victoria Chavez, was identified through dental records.

Partial skeletons of two other women were also found, but the rest of their remains are still hidden in the large mesa.

Police Chief Ray Schultz said that police have gone high tech in their quest to find them.

"The main thing first of all is that we use GPS technology to line up the maps so we know we are in the right spot," Schultz said.

Schultz said identifying the women is crucial to find out if the women's deaths are connected.

The five possible grave sites are only 20 yards away from each other; they are also only a few feet across.

The process to unearth more bones or bodies, even with heavy machinery, is tedious.

"The heavy equipment comes in breaks up the ground because it has been compacted and then we have detectives go in by hand with racks and shovels," Schultz said.

Searchers found a number of bones from animals. Forensic experts were on site Friday to help.

"Having the office of the medical investigator on site is good for us because if we find bones they can tell us very quickly it could possibly be human or rule those out," Schultz said.

The bones found Friday were taken to the Office of the Medical Investigator. Pathologists will determine if they belong to the previously discovered remains, or if they belong to another body.

The police will continue their search Saturday.

Police will have patrols on the ground and in the air to protect the area from being disturbed.