NM - Retired Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland, 68, who led Air Force Research Laboratory, Bernalillo County, 27 February 2026

[swanniee11]

Facebook Albuquerque, New Mexico hiking group page
friends are posting here, it seems he just biked 60 miles the wkend before he went missing.

 

[MissPie]

Facebook Albuquerque, New Mexico hiking group page
friends are posting here, it seems he just biked 60 miles the wkend before he went missing.

If true, he does not sound like a person with any kind of advanced dementia.

 

[moonglow123]

I used to live 5 mins from where he disappeared ... there are definitely walking routes, arroyos, and mountain paths nearby but it's not exactly a place where you can disappear into thin air, at least IMO. I am genuinely surprised they haven't been able to find him by now if he disappeared off of one of the paths. Hopefully a lot of search parties are going out to cover more ground.

I hope it wasn't a self-harm issue or him wandering off for that purpose... since we're still unclear on whether he actually has cognitive issues, despite the Silver Alert. Agree that biking 60 miles would not exactly seem indicative of wandering off in confusion a week later.

 

[SteveS]

The silver alert is specifically for missing people with cognitive issues, and his loved ones would have no incentive to say he had them, if he didn't. It may be dementia AND another factor, but it's being reported as and also looks just like what dementia looks like. The people in NM understand all this, apparently. But I hate to see this convo get derailed by posts that are far off base in thinking this is something other than dementia as a primary factor.

Having dealt with family members (for MANY years) with cognitive issues, it's clear to me that many of you have not, and have no clue what it's like. Wait and see - he will be found, hopefully (but not certainly) without having suffered harm - and the key issue will be that he put himself in harm's way (intentionally or unintentionally) or got very confused because he was in mental decline.

Some who are battling such things end up with major depression over it all, and want to do self harm to end it all. That's possible here, perhaps. If he has indeed biked to a remote area, that may even be likely.

We also don't know what kind of bike he might have been riding - if he had an electric one, those can go 50-100 miles on a single charge. He could have set off to go around the block, and couldn't find his way home.

Also, the idea that a 68-year-old retired military man with cognitive issues couldn't bike a long ways is just nuts --- it's not physical issues that he's dealing with. I had a very dear loved one, with significant Alzheimers for years, who was in GREAT physical condition, and she would go on walks in Dallas and end up MILES away from where she thought she was. One time the police found her on a "walk around the block" that ended up with her about 10 miles from home, and she was discovered walking near Central Expressway in rush hour, still briskly walking block after block trying to figure out how to get home.

 

[MissPie]

The silver alert is specifically for missing people with cognitive issues, and his loved ones would have no incentive to say he had them, if he didn't. It may be dementia AND another factor, but it's being reported as and also looks just like what dementia looks like. The people in NM understand all this, apparently. But I hate to see this convo get derailed by posts that are far off base in thinking this is something other than dementia as a primary factor.

Having dealt with family members (for MANY years) with cognitive issues, it's clear to me that many of you have not, and have no clue what it's like. Wait and see - he will be found, hopefully (but not certainly) without having suffered harm - and the key issue will be that he put himself in harm's way (intentionally or unintentionally) or got very confused because he was in mental decline.

Some who are battling such things end up with major depression over it all, and want to do self harm to end it all. That's possible here, perhaps. If he has indeed biked to a remote area, that may even be likely.

We also don't know what kind of bike he might have been riding - if he had an electric one, those can go 50-100 miles on a single charge. He could have set off to go around the block, and couldn't find his way home.

Also, the idea that a 68-year-old retired military man with cognitive issues couldn't bike a long ways is just nuts --- it's not physical issues that he's dealing with. I had a very dear loved one, with significant Alzheimers for years, who was in GREAT physical condition, and she would go on walks in Dallas and end up MILES away from where she thought she was. One time the police found her on a "walk around the block" that ended up with her about 10 miles from home, and she was discovered walking near Central Expressway in rush hour, still briskly walking block after block trying to figure out how to get home.

Both my father and stepmother died from different forms of dementia in the last two years. I walked their journey with them all the way ‘home’. Each one took a very different path of progression. So yes, I agree with you that he may have been able to bike a long way, even if cognitively impaired. And truly we don’t even know if it’s TRUE that he did bike 60 miles. In fact we know very little in the way of facts here so far. I pray that he is found safe.

 

[Han]

There’s been no information that he left by bike. Whoever reported him missing (wife?) would know if he took his bike. They also likely informed BCSO of his qualification for Silver Alert which results in more rapid measures to locate.

To be clear… we do not know the exact reason for the Silver Alert (privacy issues prevent disclosure) AND we have not been told he left by bike.

 

[moonglow123]

We don’t think he left by bike, his friends just said he took a 60 mile bike ride the weekend before he disappeared, someone linked above ^

It is true people with dementia can have good and bad days. His friends saying he seemed normal doesn’t necessarily mean anything.

I do just hope he’ll be found soon.

Concern grows as FBI joins search for former Kirtland commander

FBI now assisting BCSO in search for retired Maj. Gen. Neil McCasland. See how you can help by checking cameras and sharing tips.

www.abqjournal.com

Kirtland AFB and the FBI getting involved should be helpful, hopefully that much manpower will be able to cover a lot of ground.

 

[KBlackRabbit]

The silver alert is specifically for missing people with cognitive issues, and his loved ones would have no incentive to say he had them, if he didn't. It may be dementia AND another factor, but it's being reported as and also looks just like what dementia looks like. The people in NM understand all this, apparently. But I hate to see this convo get derailed by posts that are far off base in thinking this is something other than dementia as a primary factor.

Having dealt with family members (for MANY years) with cognitive issues, it's clear to me that many of you have not, and have no clue what it's like. Wait and see - he will be found, hopefully (but not certainly) without having suffered harm - and the key issue will be that he put himself in harm's way (intentionally or unintentionally) or got very confused because he was in mental decline.

Some who are battling such things end up with major depression over it all, and want to do self harm to end it all. That's possible here, perhaps. If he has indeed biked to a remote area, that may even be likely.

We also don't know what kind of bike he might have been riding - if he had an electric one, those can go 50-100 miles on a single charge. He could have set off to go around the block, and couldn't find his way home.

Also, the idea that a 68-year-old retired military man with cognitive issues couldn't bike a long ways is just nuts --- it's not physical issues that he's dealing with. I had a very dear loved one, with significant Alzheimers for years, who was in GREAT physical condition, and she would go on walks in Dallas and end up MILES away from where she thought she was. One time the police found her on a "walk around the block" that ended up with her about 10 miles from home, and she was discovered walking near Central Expressway in rush hour, still briskly walking block after block trying to figure out how to get home.

There was a case of an Australian traveler to the Seattle area who wound up at a hospital, left against medical advice (IIRC), and was found alive in a cow pasture a week and a half later. He had been a world traveler his entire life. He was fine until one day he wasn’t.

 

[Han]

“So far investigators have only said they’re concerned for McCasland’s safety because of medical reasons.” Video at link.

16K views · 149 reactions | The search continues for a missing, retired Air Force general who disappeared from an Albuquerque neighborhood last week. Now KRQE News 13 has learned that federal investigators are helping in that search. MORE HERE: http

The search continues for a missing, retired Air Force general who disappeared from an Albuquerque neighborhood last week. Now KRQE News 13 has learned that federal investigators are helping in that...

www.facebook.com

 

[Han]

BCSO update issued a day ago (has considerable background). BCSO has sought to clarify their position as lead agency assisted by other agencies i.e. FBI.

Facebook

www.facebook.com

 

[Chainspell]

I feel like if he took his car or it was missing, it would be mentioned/described at this point. Sounds like BCSO thinks he may have left the area on foot, or at least in a different way?

 

[LakeRat55]

I am astounded that this case is not getting more national attention. A retired general, with his credentials, specifically head of WPAFB research, is missing for a week and not much is being said. I can't find much information other that the initial reports of him missing and the little bit of info here. Does anyone local have more information? Is there a reason why an all-out search would not have been launched immediately upon realizing he was missing? What ever the case, it would seem that tiime was of the essence.

 

[Han]

Latest from Bernalillo Sheriff’s office to the community of Albuquerque,

It has been a week since William “Neil” McCasland was last seen at his residence on Quail Run Court in Albuquerque.

Neil… is believed to have left his residence on foot.

Over the last week, investigators at the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office… have so far uncovered no evidence of foul play. We are, however, utilizing all possible resources including advanced technologies, and still considering all possible scenarios as we follow up on leads towards locating Neil.

Please remember that information other than from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office is not verified or confirmed. There are people who attempt to develop their own theories based on the limited information available to the public and this makes finding Neil harder.

We are asking for your help in finding him. We believe there are people who have information valuable to locating Neil who have not yet spoken to law enforcement. This could include people who have been in the Sandia mountains and may have seen Neil or captured him on a GoPro or other recording device, specifically on Friday, February 27 or Saturday, February 28.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2030036477741257075

 

[Pim]

Check the YouTube channel of journalist Ross Coulthart:

He has some info about Neil and visited his hometown. Neil didn’t have dementia or something. The silver alert was probably for some common blood pressure pills or something. He went out for a trail run, but left his watch and phone at home. Don’t know if that was his normal routine, but if not, that maybe points out that he planned something. He is THE man that knows everything about UAP and UFO programs of the USA. The timing is suspicious as Trump just before ordered to disclose information about UFO’s and UAP’s. I’ll say, check the video of Ross Coulthart.

 

[Ontario Mom]

Check the YouTube channel of journalist Ross Coulthart:

He has some info about Neil and visited his hometown. Neil didn’t have dementia or something. The silver alert was probably for some common blood pressure pills or something. He went out for a trail run, but left his watch and phone at home. Don’t know if that was his normal routine, but if not, that maybe points out that he planned something. He is THE man that knows everything about UAP and UFO programs of the USA. The timing is suspicious as Trump just before ordered to disclose information about UFO’s and UAP’s. I’ll say, check the video of Ross Coulthart.

The timing of Trump's announcement of UAP issues and him going missing, is certainly curious.
Ross has some good thoughts on this & confirms General McCasland does not have dementia.

I sure hope he's okay, and is found safely, and soon.

 

[Dreamcherry]

I am astounded that this case is not getting more national attention. A retired general, with his credentials, specifically head of WPAFB research, is missing for a week and not much is being said. I can't find much information other that the initial reports of him missing and the little bit of info here. Does anyone local have more information? Is there a reason why an all-out search would not have been launched immediately upon realizing he was missing? What ever the case, it would seem that tiime was of the essence.

Right? It genuinely blows my mind that hardly anyone is talking about this!

 

[Ontario Mom]

Right? It genuinely blows my mind that hardly anyone is talking about this!

Lots of people are (mostly in the UAP space, of course), just not the people you'd expect (mainly, MSM).

 

[Dreamcherry]

mostly in the UAP space, of course

That definitely makes sense!

 

[TwinkieDefense]

Here’s an April 2013 article with his very impressive background.

https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/article/104776/major-general-william-n-mccasland/

 

[LakeRat55]

The general's wife posted the following on Facebook, which I find oddly worded and quite strange.....
She also has a strange song on YouTube posted about 5 years ago about her man going missing.....

"Neil McCasland has now been missing for one week. There has been no indication whatsoever of where he might be. There have been dozens of searchers on foot, both official and friends and neighbors of Neil's, who coordinate with the official sources. There have also been horseback searchers, drones with different capabilities, helicopters, three different types of search dogs, neighborhood canvassing and looking for Ring or wildlife videos. Organizations involved are Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office

(BCSO) which is the lead organization, Albuquerque field office of the FBI, NM State Search and Rescue, Albuquerque Mountain Rescue, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Albuquerque Police Department, and maybe others of which I am unaware. I am so grateful to one and all for their unflagging dedicated efforts and support.

I would like to take this opportunity to dispel some of the misinformation circulating about Neil and his disappearance, mostly from uninformed media sources.

1. The initial Silver Alert from BCSO mentioned medical conditions, which some have taken to mean Alzheimer's. Neil is at some risk, but not from dementia. He was not confused and disoriented.
2. There was no concerning Friday-morning telephone call to a close relative. I have been in contact with all of his close relatives and some not-so-close ones. This is a complete fabrication.
3. It is true that when Neil was in the Air Force, he had access to home highly classified programs and information. He retired from the AF almost 13 years ago and has had only very commonly held clearances since. It seems quite unlikely that he was taken to extract very dated secrets from him.
4. It is true that Neil had a brief association with the UFO community through Tom DeLonge, former frontman for Blink-182 and founder of the organization To The Stars. Neil worked with Tom for a bit shortly after his Air Force retirement as an unpaid (Neil's choice) consultant on military and technical/scientific matters to lend verisimilitude to Tom's fiction book and media activities. After the Russians hacked John Podesta's emails (see Neil's Wikipedia page), there was less contact with Tom and the community pushing for release of UFO information. This connection is not a reason for someone to abduct Neil. Neil does not have any special knowledge about the ET bodies and debris from the Roswell crash stored at Wright-Patt. Though at this point with absolutely no sign of him, maybe the best hypothesis is that aliens beamed him up to the mothership. However, no sightings of a mothership hovering above the Sandia Mountains have been reported.

All the thoughts and prayers from around the country are much appreciated. I will update if/when any real information comes in."