Search Complicated for Missing Retired Air Force General
The effort to locate retired Air Force General William Neil McCasland has faced challenges due to unusually warm spring weather in New Mexico, according to officials.
The extensive search area, combined with the warmth in Albuquerque, has made it tougher for drones to detect heat signatures in the ongoing investigation into McCasland’s disappearance, as noted by the sheriff’s office during a recent press briefing.
McCasland, who is 68, was last seen by his wife, Susan, around 11:10 a.m. on February 27. When she returned from an appointment less than an hour later, she discovered he was missing.
“Regrettably, this has been one of the warmest springs we’ve experienced in many years. The thermal footage shows the mountains lit up like candles even at night,” Lt. Gov. Kyle Woods shared with reporters.
“We couldn’t differentiate between the heat signature from him and the heat from the rocks,” he added.
Authorities have issued a Silver Alert for McCasland, who has a background in UFO research and had previously mentioned feelings of “mental fog,” which led to his resignation from various organizations. However, investigators currently believe he was mentally sharp at the time he went missing.
“There’s no indication, nor do we claim, that Mr. McCasland was confused,” Woods emphasized. “He’s undeniably one of the most intelligent individuals in the room. Very capable, very smart. We escalated to a Silver Alert out of caution, aiming to gather as much public attention as possible to find him quickly.”
McCasland’s wallet, a .38-caliber revolver in a leather holster, and a red backpack remain unaccounted for after his disappearance. Neighbors are being encouraged to provide any surveillance footage they may have that could assist in the investigation.
It’s quite unusual for someone with McCasland’s background in UFO studies to leave home without a cell phone or any wearable device; both were still found in his house. He may have left wearing a green shirt and hiking boots, but those items were later discovered at his vacation home in Pagosa Springs.
Additionally, a gray U.S. Air Force sweatshirt was found 2.25 miles east of his home on March 7, but his family hasn’t been able to confirm its ownership. This clothing discovery triggered further searches in the area.
Local agencies are collaborating with the FBI and have received numerous tips regarding the missing person case, but nothing concrete has surfaced yet.
Throughout his military career, McCasland was involved in significant research at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and managed a classified space weapons program. The base, located near Dayton, Ohio, is often rumored to have materials related to extraterrestrial phenomena from Roswell, New Mexico, known as a UFO hotspot.
He also held a leadership position at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico and worked with the Department of Defense before retiring in 2013.
After his disappearance, his wife tried to distance herself from misconceptions surrounding the UFO community. On March 6, she posted on Facebook: “Neil does not have any special knowledge of the ET remains stored at Wright-Patt or debris from the Roswell incident.”
Investigators are still analyzing video evidence and tips, but no confirmed sightings of McCasland have emerged. The extensive search for this experienced outdoorsman has included the use of drones, helicopters, and search dogs.
“There are some wild theories and conspiracies out there. We’ll look into everything,” Sheriff Josh Allen stated at a press conference. “However, as a law enforcement agency, we are committed to following the facts to ensure we find Mr. McCasland and to explore any leads that may point to wrongdoing.”
