Newly released police records are adding more detail to the disappearance of retired Air Force Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland, a former senior military research leader who vanished from his Albuquerque-area home earlier this year.
McCasland, 68, disappeared on Feb. 27 after reportedly leaving home without several items he normally used, including his cellphone, wearable electronic devices and eyeglasses. Authorities said he was believed to be carrying a handgun when he left. The FBI has assisted local investigators, and the case remains active.
Police records obtained through a public records request reportedly summarize a March 3 interview between investigators and McCasland’s wife, Susan Wilkerson. According to those records, Wilkerson told investigators that her husband had recently become worried about his cognitive abilities and was trying to step down from several advisory or consulting roles connected to defense and national security research.
The documents state that McCasland had traveled to Washington shortly before his disappearance to resign from the board of Riverside Research, a nonprofit organization that supports scientific research, engineering and advisory work for the U.S. government. After returning to New Mexico, he reportedly told his wife he had stepped down because he could not mentally keep up with the conversation during meetings.
TRENDING TODAY
The records also indicate that McCasland remained connected to other research-related organizations, including Sandia National Laboratories, the Kirtland Partnership and a university-affiliated research center tied to the Department of Defense. According to the police summary, Wilkerson said her husband was also trying to resign from another research role because of similar concerns, though he was allegedly encouraged to remain involved.
Those details suggest investigators were examining whether McCasland’s disappearance may have been connected to health concerns or personal distress rather than a dispute with any of the organizations. However, authorities have not publicly announced a final theory explaining what happened.
McCasland’s background has added public interest to the case. During his military career, he commanded the Air Force Research Laboratory and held senior positions involving advanced military research and space-related programs. He retired from the Air Force in 2013 after decades of service.
His name has also appeared in public discussions about unidentified aerial phenomena because former Air Force intelligence officer David Grusch previously identified him as a potential witness with possible knowledge of classified programs. That connection has fueled online speculation about his disappearance, but no official evidence released publicly has tied the case to UAP claims or classified projects.
That distinction is important. Missing-person cases involving former military or intelligence officials can quickly attract conspiracy theories, especially when the person had worked around sensitive research. But public records so far point to a more grounded set of investigative questions: McCasland’s health, his recent behavior, his attempts to resign from demanding roles and his movements before he vanished.
The newly released records also mention an anonymous witness who reportedly attended a meeting with McCasland and members of the U.S. Space Force on Feb. 26, the night before he disappeared. According to the witness, McCasland seemed unusually quiet, distracted and not like himself during the gathering.
Authorities have not said whether they believe McCasland was harmed, left voluntarily, became lost, or experienced a medical or mental-health crisis. Earlier public summaries indicated investigators had not presented evidence of foul play, but the case remains open and active.
For McCasland’s family, the lack of answers has made the case especially painful. Missing-person investigations often depend on small details: last known movements, financial activity, vehicle records, witness statements, health history and digital devices. In this case, some of the most useful electronic clues may be limited because McCasland reportedly left behind his phone and wearable devices.
The case also highlights the difficulties of investigating disappearances involving older adults who may be experiencing health or cognitive concerns. A Silver Alert can help draw public attention, but searches become harder when a person leaves without tracking devices or clear information about where they intended to go.
For the public, the most responsible way to follow the case is to separate confirmed information from speculation. McCasland’s military career and research background are relevant to understanding why the disappearance has drawn attention. But without evidence, claims linking the case to classified programs, UAP matters or outside actors remain unproven.
At this stage, the central fact remains that a retired senior Air Force officer is missing, investigators are still working leads, and his family is waiting for answers.
What Remains Unclear
It remains unclear where McCasland went after leaving his home, whether anyone saw him after his disappearance, and whether investigators have identified a specific route, destination or motive.
It is also unclear whether his reported concerns about cognitive decline played a direct role in his disappearance. Authorities have not publicly linked the case to foul play, classified work or UAP-related claims.
Why It Matters
The case matters because McCasland held senior positions in U.S. military research and remained active in defense-related advisory work after retirement. His disappearance has drawn attention because of that background, but the newly released records point to personal and health-related concerns that investigators appear to be reviewing carefully.
It also matters as a missing-person case involving an older adult who may have been at risk. For families, law enforcement and communities, these cases show how quickly someone can disappear when they leave without a phone, glasses or tracking devices.
What Comes Next
Local authorities and the FBI are expected to continue pursuing leads, reviewing witness statements and examining McCasland’s final known activities before he disappeared.
Additional public records may clarify the timeline, but investigators have not announced when more information will be released. Until then, officials are likely to continue asking anyone with credible information about McCasland’s whereabouts to contact law enforcement.
Shocking memo reveals missing UFO-linked scientist was trying to escape a secret Pentagon network before vanishing https://t.co/wmV7Oto6PL
— Daily Mail (@DailyMail) June 25, 2026
