NM NM - Melissa Casias, 53, frm Taos, car & personal items left at home, pers & work phones wiped, seen walking on Hwy 518 in Talpa, 26 Jun 2025

[Unalienable Rights]

Melissa Casias
Age: 53
Height: 5'4"
Weight: 115 lbs
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Tattoos: Dragon on right ankle; dreamcatcher on left shoulder, bow & arrow on left arm.
Wearing: Turquoise shirt, jeans, pink & white tennis shoes

This is the link for a public Facebook group that is run by her family:

Find Melissa Casias

Find Melissa Casias. 997 likes · 24 talking about this. Melissa Casias, a beloved Mother, Daughter, Sister and friend, went missing in Taos, NM on 6/26/25. $5,000 reward for information leading to...

www.facebook.com

Summary of some of the information in the MSM articles. Links for articles follow the summary.

* Melissa Casias resides in Rancho De Taos, NM.

* She is an administrative assistant at Los Alamos National Lab. Her husband also works there, and she dropped him off at work at 6:15am on June 26, 2025. She forgot her employee badge, so she decided to work from home that day.

* At 1:00pm on June 26, she took lunch to her daughter at Taos Plaza. She is seen on surveillance video leaving John Dunn Shops, so it is known what she was wearing.

* When her daughter returned home from work, her mother's vehicle was at home but her mother wasn't there. All of Melissa's personal possessions were in the house, including her wallet, purse, phones and computer.

* Melissa's personal phone and work phone have both been wiped clean.

* The family filed a missing person report with the NM State Police.

* A man who knows Melissa reported that he had seen her walking alone, stumbling, on Hwy 518 in Talpa, just SE of Rancho De Taos. Her family was able to locate door bell camera footage of her from people who live in that area, and have confirmed that it is her and that she is wearing the same clothes she was wearing on the surveillance video from John Dunn Shops.

* The State Police and Taos Search & Rescue have actively searched in the area around her home and Hwy 518.

* The family has been organizing searches with volunteers. Her niece said: “We created some large maps of the total search area. We divided that into quadrants and sub-quadrants, so we had 16 grid areas where we sent volunteers.” They have designated areas to be searched by ATV, horseback or on foot. They are using an app called "On-X Hunt." "On-X lets users compile searchers’ tracks into one map, then export it as a GPS file that’s compatible with law enforcement software. She said she provided that file to the New Mexico State Police’s lead detective for the case."

* The family is offering a reward of $5,000.

* Melissa is an avid hunter and archer. Her parents say that she is strong and tough, and that she would be able to survive in the wilderness for days.

https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/family-of-missing-los-alamos-national-laboratory-employee-seeks-help-from-public/

State police investigates disappearance of LANL worker from Ranchos de Taos

Melissa Casias, 53, disappeared from the community last week under suspicious circumstance.

www.santafenewmexican.com

Ranchos woman, a Los Alamos National Labs employee, reported missing

New Mexico State Police are investigating the disappearance of a Ranchos de Taos woman who works at Los Alamos National Laboratory, a department spokesperson told the Taos News.

www.taosnews.com

Ranchos woman reported missing

New Mexico State Police is investigating the disappearance of a Ranchos de Taos woman who works at Los Alamos National Laboratory as an administrative assistant. Melissa Casias, 53, works at

www.taosnews.com

(Am reporting to fix the title. Apparently my abbreviation for "possessions wasn't acceptable so will change it to items.)

 

[Unalienable Rights]

Questa del Rio News

Have you seen Melissa Casias? She’s missing and the last place she was seen was the Taos Plaza on June 26. She was wearing a turquoise shirt, jeans, white and pink tennis shoes. If you know of...

www.facebook.com

 

[annemc2]

"McMillen (her niece) and Najera (her aunt) said that not all of Casias’ family agree she is missing, but declined to elaborate." from Ranchos woman reported missing

 

[truthfinder2019]

Najera, McMillen and Casias’ parents said Melissa Casias’ disappearance is uncharacteristic of her.
Trudy noted Casias’ family had a trip planned to a lake over the weekend. Casias was also supposed to take her mother to the hospital Monday (June 30) for her knee replacement surgery.
“She wouldn’t leave her daughter,” Najera added. “She’s very, very close to her daughter.”
McMillen and Najera said that not all of Casias’ family agree she is missing, but declined to elaborate. Trudy also declined to comment on whether Casias’ husband is involved in the search. Mark Casias could not be reached for comment by press time.

Ranchos woman reported missing

New Mexico State Police is investigating the disappearance of a Ranchos de Taos woman who works at Los Alamos National Laboratory as an administrative assistant. Melissa Casias, 53, works at

www.taosnews.com

 

[Unalienable Rights]

Najera, McMillen and Casias’ parents said Melissa Casias’ disappearance is uncharacteristic of her.
Trudy noted Casias’ family had a trip planned to a lake over the weekend. Casias was also supposed to take her mother to the hospital Monday (June 30) for her knee replacement surgery.
“She wouldn’t leave her daughter,” Najera added. “She’s very, very close to her daughter.”
McMillen and Najera said that not all of Casias’ family agree she is missing, but declined to elaborate. Trudy also declined to comment on whether Casias’ husband is involved in the search. Mark Casias could not be reached for comment by press time.

Ranchos woman reported missing

New Mexico State Police is investigating the disappearance of a Ranchos de Taos woman who works at Los Alamos National Laboratory as an administrative assistant. Melissa Casias, 53, works at

www.taosnews.com

I also noticed that the FB missing group identifies her as a "Loving Mother, Daughter, Sister and Friend" and doesn't include "wife."

 

[truthfinder2019]

Why would she be walking on hwy 518 ?

Ranchos de Taos to New Mexico 518

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[truthfinder2019]

Her FB profile.

Melissa Casias

Melissa Casias is on Facebook. Join Facebook to connect with Melissa Casias and others you may know. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected.

www.facebook.com

Personally, hunting photos make me literally sick, and I do not approve killing animals as sport if that is, but I’m linking anyway as there are additional photos which may help recognize her.
Jmo.

 

[GraceG]

The report that she was stumbling, if verified, is concerning. There are two records for her in the New Mexico judicial system by date of birth (there are others with her name but either no date of birth or someone much older so only listing the two with the party born in 1983.) Caselookup - Disclaimer

These are both alcohol/DWI related, however the cases were dismissed or she was acquitted. Could she have a medical condition that may mimic the signs of impairment or cause issues with her driving that resulted in the traffic stop? (Though that doesn't explain the charge for driving while revoked for DWI, as I couldn't find any finding of guilty for DWI in New Mexico). Or is it a problem with alcohol or other substances and the court simply failed to prove the impairment to the extent required by statute?

Case No. M-9-MR-202300068 Filing Date 05/15/2023
Party Type Party Description Party # Party Name
D Defendant 1 CASIAS MELISSA
P Plaintiff 1 STATE OF NEW MEXICO
Criminal Charge Detail
Party Count Seq # Statute Charge Class Charge Date Cit # Plea Disposition Disp Date
D 1 1 3 66-5-39.1(B) Driving While License Revoked - DWI Related M 05/14/2023 Not Guilty Dismissed by Prosecutor / Nolle Prosequi 12/04/2023
Hearing Date Hearing Time Hearing Type Court Court Room
11/01/2023 8:30 AM Bench Trial RATON MAGISTRATE COURT Colfax County
05/16/2023 10:00 AM Arraignment RATON MAGISTRATE COURT Virtual Courtroom-Raton In-Custody

Case No.T-4-DW-2007001847 J Filing Date: 04/06/2007 ALBUQUERQUE METROPOLITAN
Party Type Party Description Party # Party Name
D Defendant 1 CASIAS MELISSA
P Plaintiff 1 STATE OF NEW MEXICO
Criminal Charge Detail
Party Count Seq # Statute Charge Class Charge Date Cit # Plea Disposition Disp Date
D 1 1 4 66-8-102 DWI FIRST OFFENSE M 04/06/2007 13105259 Not Guilty Acquitted 04/03/2008
D 1 2 4 8-2-1-32 Unlawful Obstructing Intersection with Vehicle M 04/06/2007 0220035091768 Not Guilty Acquitted 04/03/2008
D 1 3 4 66-5-20 REPLACEMENT LICENSES M 04/06/2007 0220035091776 Not Guilty Acquitted 04/03/2008
04/17/2007 4:30 PM Review Conditions of Release Hearing ALBUQUERQUE METROPOLITAN COURT

 

[Unalienable Rights]

Melissa left Taos Plaza at 1:00pm. I would like to know what time her daughter arrived home from work, and would like to know what time Melissa was seen on Hwy 518. Would also like to know how long it would take to walk from her home to where she was seen on 518.

I am only able to see the first one or two posts on the official missing group page (because I'm unable to open a FB account.) If one of the admins of the group posts a timeline, will one of you please post the info here (it is OK to post it if it is an admin.)

 

[truthfinder2019]

Two other women went missing from Taos , Melissa Crabtree in 2020, and Holly White in 2016.

Melissa Manley Crabtree – The Charley Project

Holly Alcott White – The Charley Project

Not saying the cases are related, just stating facts. Holly White’s disappearance is quite similar in some aspects.

 

[truthfinder2019]

Melissa left Taos Plaza at 1:00pm. I would like to know what time her daughter arrived home from work, and would like to know what time Melissa was seen on Hwy 518. Would also like to know how long it would take to walk from her home to where she was seen on 518.

I am only able to see the first one or two posts on the official missing group page (because I'm unable to open a FB account.) If one of the admins of the group posts a timeline, will one of you please post the info here (it is OK to post it if it is an admin.)

A witness saw her walking alone, stumbling in Talpa and heading toward Rio Chiquito
At 2:20 pm apparently

Ranchos woman reported missing

New Mexico State Police is investigating the disappearance of a Ranchos de Taos woman who works at Los Alamos National Laboratory as an administrative assistant. Melissa Casias, 53, works at

www.taosnews.com

Provided public records are up to date, this is more or less the distance : 34 mins on foot, but Rio Chiquito is mid way

6 Casias Rd to Talpa

maps.app.goo.gl

Melissa S Casias - Ranchos de Taos, NM: age 53, address, phone (575) 770-9544 | Radaris

Looking for Melissa S Casias in Ranchos de Taos, NM? See current address, phone, age, job, relatives, known aliases, and more. Start your people search now!

radaris.com

 

[truthfinder2019]

Did she go to Talpa by car and then for,some reason was returning towards home on foot ?
If she was seen in Talpa going towards Rio Chiquito, that ‘s the direction to go back to Taos…

 

[no greed]

Did she go to Talpa by car and then for,some reason was returning towards home on foot ?
If she was seen in Talpa going towards Rio Chiquito, that ‘s the direction to go back to Taos…

On a map of the area I found on line, Rio Chiquito is on the SW end of Talpa. Coluld have been spotted in Talpa, approximately 1.5 miles south of her home, and have been walking south bound IMO.

 

[CalliopeMuse]

Did she go to Talpa by car and then for,some reason was returning towards home on foot ?
If she was seen in Talpa going towards Rio Chiquito, that ‘s the direction to go back to Taos…

The initial article says that her car was at their home when the daughter returned there after work.

 

[CalliopeMuse]

In case some folks don't know, Los Alamos National Lab is a national security research facility. It played a major role in the development of the atomic bomb, under the direction of Robert Oppenheimer. It continues to work on nuclear projects, along with some non-nuclear ones. (It also does some straight medical research.)

<conjecture> This is probably over the top, but it's hard not to go straight to the above when they revealed that both her phones were 'wiped', whatever that means. I would hope that they can restore some of that. Were they wiped to cover some mundane stuff, like too many cat vids? That might be better than alternatives which belong in a Jason Bourne film.

The business with the ID. Was she unable to access her work area altogether, so rather than go home and then return to the campus, she opted to work from home? Might leaving it behind have been intentional, to give her an excuse to return home? Then again, she used some of that time to bring her daughter lunch, which doesn't feel like an item on the 'spies are us' bingo card! </conjecture>

This is all conjecture on my part, because of her employer. I also suspect that if this was work related, the Lab would be investigating, not the cops. Anyway, I hope she's alright and is found very soon.

 

[ErinC]

In case some folks don't know, Los Alamos National Lab is a national security research facility. It played a major role in the development of the atomic bomb, under the direction of Robert Oppenheimer. It continues to work on nuclear projects, along with some non-nuclear ones. (It also does some straight medical research.)

<conjecture> This is probably over the top, but it's hard not to go straight to the above when they revealed that both her phones were 'wiped', whatever that means. I would hope that they can restore some of that. Were they wiped to cover some mundane stuff, like too many cat vids? That might be better than alternatives which belong in a Jason Bourne film.

The business with the ID. Was she unable to access her work area altogether, so rather than go home and then return to the campus, she opted to work from home? Might leaving it behind have been intentional, to give her an excuse to return home? Then again, she used some of that time to bring her daughter lunch, which doesn't feel like an item on the 'spies are us' bingo card! </conjecture>

This is all conjecture on my part, because of her employer. I also suspect that if this was work related, the Lab would be investigating, not the cops. Anyway, I hope she's alright and is found very soon.

You're not the only one who wondered this. I thought about that too.

 

[GraceG]

Here is her LinkedIn. She had an admin assistant position at the Lab. I know in my former fed job my admin assistant didn't need near the level of security clearance I had, and didn't have access to some sensitive data. So I agree that if the Lab thought this was work related the locals wouldn't be working the disappearance, https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-casias-117748271

 

[vls12345]

Fyi, the commute between Taos & Los Alamos National Lab is about 1.5 hours each way. So, not a short daily commute.

Los Alamos National Laboratory to John Dunn Shops

maps.app.goo.gl

I'll chime in to agree that the personal & work phones being wiped as being suspicious too, even for a role that probably requires no or a low security-level clearance.

It says she dropped her husband at 6:15am, then was going home to Taos to work remotely since she forgot her badge. She probably would have been home by 7:45 or 8am. Next sighting was that she stopped by the post office & dropped lunch off for her daughter. I don't know what time that was but even an early lunchtime might have given Melissa a couple of hours of work time at home. So, did she log in/work remotely for a couple of hours before her disappearance?

If a man who knew her saw her stumbling along 518 in Talpa, why did he not approach her to see if she was ok? (Taos to Talpa seems to be about 5 miles away.)

Taos to Talpa

maps.app.goo.gl

Also, if she dropped her husband at the lab in the morning, how did he get home that day? Did he catch a ride with a coworker? There might be some public transportation options that would have worked. If he was expecting a ride from Melissa, though, you would think he would have noticed her absence by around 3 or 3:30pm (basing it on an 8 hour workday + either 30 minutes or an hour for lunch). Did he call the daughter to raise the alarm?

Ranchos woman reported missing

New Mexico State Police is investigating the disappearance of a Ranchos de Taos woman who works at Los Alamos National Laboratory as an administrative assistant. Melissa Casias, 53, works at

www.taosnews.com

 

[CrimeDawg123]

I don't understand the whole badge thing: she dropped her husband off "then returned to Taos to work remotely since she had forgotten her employee badge". Where did she forget it? Why not just go into work and get a temporary badge from security. What's the big deal? Kind of sounds like a ruse to me.

Ranchos woman reported missing

New Mexico State Police is investigating the disappearance of a Ranchos de Taos woman who works at Los Alamos National Laboratory as an administrative assistant. Melissa Casias, 53, works at

www.taosnews.com

 

[GraceG]

I don't understand the whole badge thing: she dropped her husband off "then returned to Taos to work remotely since she had forgotten her employee badge". Where did she forget it? Why not just go into work and get a temporary badge from security. What's the big deal? Kind of sounds like a ruse to me.

Ranchos woman reported missing

New Mexico State Police is investigating the disappearance of a Ranchos de Taos woman who works at Los Alamos National Laboratory as an administrative assistant. Melissa Casias, 53, works at

www.taosnews.com

If might not be just a standard identification card. Our government "badge" for work was also a PIV card, which was what we used to log into our computer, without it we couldn't work, and though we could get a "visitor's tag" to be in the building, without the PIV part of the ID we couldn't work. I went home once for the same reason.