Retired Air Force Major General McCasland Vanished in One‑Hour Window; Wallet, Hiking Boots and .38 Revolver Missing
Retired Air Force Major General McCasland disappeared from his home near the Sandia Foothills in New Mexico on Feb. 27, with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office narrowing his disappearance to a one‑hour window between 11 a.m. and noon while his wife was at an appointment; his phone, glasses and wearable devices were left behind but his wallet, hiking boots and a .38‑caliber revolver are missing. He spoke with a home repairman around 10 a.m., searchers found a U.S. Air Force sweatshirt about a mile from the home (not yet confirmed as his), and authorities—after extensive searches using drones, helicopters, horses and multiple types of search dogs—are asking residents and hikers to submit video from 9 a.m. Feb. 27 to 2 p.m. Feb. 28 via an Axon Portal, while his wife says he does not have dementia or Alzheimer’s.
📌 Key Facts
- Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. McCasland vanished from his home in a narrowed one‑hour window between 11 a.m. and noon on Feb. 27 while his wife was at an appointment.
- Investigators say his phone, glasses and wearable devices were left in the home, while his wallet, hiking boots and a .38‑caliber revolver are missing.
- He interacted with a home repairman around 10 a.m. on Feb. 27, shortly before the one‑hour disappearance window.
- Searchers located a U.S. Air Force sweatshirt about a mile from his home; authorities have not confirmed it belongs to McCasland.
- The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office is asking residents on Quail Run Court NE and surrounding roads, and hikers in the Sandia Foothills, to submit any video from 9 a.m. Feb. 27 to 2 p.m. Feb. 28 via an Axon Portal and reiterated contact details for tips.
- McCasland’s wife said he does not have dementia or Alzheimer’s, urged people not to overinterpret his military record as a cause, and described extensive search efforts involving drones, helicopters, horses and multiple types of search dogs.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2025, New Mexico passed legislation (HB 197) that relaxed the criteria for Silver Alerts, eliminating the requirement for a formal diagnosis of Alzheimer's, dementia, or other cognitive decline; now, alerts can be issued if the reporting party believes the missing person shows signs of cognitive impairment and is at risk.
New Mexico lifts diagnostic criteria for Silver Alerts — Source NM
In New Mexico, the veteran suicide rate in 2020 was 41.6 per 100,000, compared to the national veteran rate of 31.6 per 100,000; approximately one-third of veteran suicides in the state occur among those aged 55-74.
New Mexico, Veteran Suicide Data Sheet, 2020 — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Between 2020 and 2025, multiple hiking incidents occurred in the Sandia Foothills near Albuquerque, including at least one fatality in 2020, rescues of lost hikers in 2022 and 2023 (some treated for hypothermia), and two missing hikers found in 2025; search and rescue operations frequently involve helicopters and teams due to the area's terrain.
Authorities: Missing hiker is found dead in Sandia Mountains — Durango Herald
Retired Major General William Neil McCasland was referenced in 2016 WikiLeaks emails as advising Tom DeLonge on UFO-related research for To The Stars Academy; he previously commanded Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, historically associated with UFO investigations like Project Blue Book.
Who Is William Neil McCasland? Ex-US General Linked to UFO Research Missing — Newsweek
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Sheriff’s office has narrowed McCasland’s disappearance to a one‑hour window between 11 a.m. and noon on Feb. 27 while his wife was out at an appointment.
- Investigators say McCasland’s phone, glasses and wearable devices were left in the home, while his wallet, hiking boots and a .38‑caliber revolver are missing.
- He interacted with a home repairman around 10 a.m. on the day he vanished, shortly before the one‑hour window.
- Searchers located a U.S. Air Force sweatshirt about a mile from his home, though authorities have not confirmed it belongs to McCasland.
- BCSO is asking residents on Quail Run Court NE and surrounding roads, and hikers in the Sandia Foothills, to review and submit any video from 9 a.m. Feb. 27 to 2 p.m. Feb. 28 via an Axon Portal, and reiterated contact details for tips.
- McCasland’s wife publicly stated he does not have dementia or Alzheimer’s and urged people not to overinterpret his military record as a cause, while describing extensive search efforts involving drones, helicopters, horses and multiple types of search dogs.