William McCasland Retired Air Force General Missing Vanished Disappearance Abducted
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William Neil McCasland, a retired U.S. Air Force Major General, has been missing since February 27, 2026, after leaving his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on foot. He is 68 years old, 5-foot-11, with white hair and blue eyes, and is described as an avid outdoorsman who frequently hiked in the Sandia Mountains foothills.
Authorities have not found any confirmed sightings or evidence of foul play. His phone, prescription glasses, wearable devices, wallet, and a .38-caliber revolver were left behind at his home. A gray Air Force sweatshirt was found about 1.25 miles from his residence, but its connection to him has not been confirmed.
The FBI is involved in the search, and extensive efforts include drones, K-9 units, horses, helicopters, and neighborhood canvassing of over 700 homes. A Silver Alert remains active, though his wife, Susan McCasland Wilkerson, has stated he does not have dementia or cognitive decline.
McCasland’s high-level military career—including command of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and roles in space acquisition, satellite systems, and classified defense programs—has drawn national attention. He is linked to Kirtland Air Force Base, long associated with UFO lore, and briefly worked with Tom DeLonge on the UFO disclosure group To The Stars, Inc. This has fueled conspiracy theories, including speculation about alien abductions or targeted removal due to classified knowledge.
His wife has publicly dismissed such rumors, stating he does not possess special knowledge about extraterrestrial debris and that the idea of him being abducted for old secrets is unlikely. Despite the speculation, authorities continue to investigate all possibilities and urge the public to submit any relevant information.
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William Neil McCasland, a 68-year-old retired U.S. Air Force Major General, has been missing since February 27, 2026, after leaving his Albuquerque, New Mexico, home on foot. He was last seen around 11 a.m. near Quail Run Court NE, shortly after a repairman visited and while his wife was away for a medical appointment.
Key Details of the Disappearance
Personal Effects Left Behind:McCasland left his phone, prescription glasses, and wearable devices at home. However, his hiking boots, wallet, and a .38-caliber revolver with a leather holster are missing, suggesting a deliberate departure.
Physical Description and Habits:He is 5-foot-11, with white hair and blue eyes, and is described as an avid outdoorsman who frequently hiked, ran, and cycled in the Sandia Mountains foothills and Albuquerque’s Northeast Heights.
Found Evidence:A gray U.S. Air Force sweatshirt was discovered about 1.25 miles east of his home on March 7, but it has not been confirmed as his, and no blood or forensic evidence was found on it.
Medical Concerns:Authorities have cited an unspecified medical issue that adds urgency to the search, though his wife, Susan McCasland Wilkerson, has clarified he does not have dementia or cognitive decline.
4 days ago - McCasland, 68, was reported missing after leaving his Albuquerque, New Mexico, home on Feb. 27, authorities said.
6 days ago - William "Neil" McCasland vanished within a one-hour window while his wife was out for an appointment, leaving behind his phone and glasses — while a gun and his wallet remain unaccounted for, according to authorities in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
scrippsnews.com › us-news › timeline-sheds-light-on-disappearance-of-retired-air-force-general-in-new-mexico
5 days ago - The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday released a timeline showing a repairman arrived at William “Neil” McCasland’s home in Albuquerque around 10 a.m. on Feb. 27.
2 days ago - Retired Maj. Gen. William N. "Neil" McCasland disappeared from his home in late February.
Investigation and Search Efforts
The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) issued a Silver Alert on February 28, which remains active.
The FBI Albuquerque Field Office is assisting, along with Kirtland Air Force Base and other federal and local agencies.
Search operations have included:
Drones, helicopters, and K-9 units
Ground and horseback search teams
Extensive neighborhood canvassing of over 700 homes
Review of Ring and wildlife camera footage from February 27–28
Despite these efforts, no confirmed sightings, video footage, or forensic evidence have been found, and investigators have not uncovered any evidence of foul play—though all scenarios remain under consideration.
military.com › daily-news › air-force › 2026 › 03 › 15 › missing-air-force-general-case-draws-fbi-and-online-conspiracy-theories.html
3 days ago - 27, when he disappeared from his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Local authorities are leading the investigation, but federal agencies, including the FBI, have joined the search as the case continues to attract national attention.
cincinnati.com › story › news › 2026 › 03 › 17 › us-air-force-general-william-neil-mccasland-wright-patterson-commander-dayton-ohio-ufo › 89191960007
1 day ago - Investigators say he left his phone, glasses and other personal items while leaving home when his wife was away. The FBI has joined local law enforcement in the search for McCasland, and a Silver Alert has been issued.
eu.usatoday.com › story › news › nation › 2026 › 03 › 17 › william-mccasland-united-states-air-force-major-general-missing › 89189599007
1 day ago - The sheriff's office said there were still no confirmed sightings of McCasland and reiterated that there is currently no evidence of foul play. The case remains an active missing-person investigation.
abc7chicago.com › post › william-neil-mccasland-missing-retired-us-air-force-major-general-commanded-base-long-associated-ufo-lore › 18707800
2 days ago - Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland, 68, left his Albuquerque home on foot at approximately 11 a.m. February 27 and has not been in contact with family or friends since, the sheriff's office said in a news release.
Military and UFO-Related Background
McCasland had a distinguished career in the U.S. Air Force:
Commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio—a site long rumored to house Roswell crash debris.
Held high-level roles in space-based laser systems, GPS development, and Pentagon special programs.
Earned degrees from the Air Force Academy, MIT, and Harvard’s Kennedy School.
After retiring in 2013, he had a brief, unpaid consulting role with Tom DeLonge’s To The Stars, Inc., a company focused on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP). His involvement became public through WikiLeaks’ release of John Podesta’s emails in 2016, which mentioned McCasland in connection with UFO disclosure efforts.
His wife has publicly dismissed conspiracy theories, stating:
He has no special knowledge of extraterrestrial bodies or Roswell debris.
His work with DeLonge was limited to lending technical credibility to fiction and media projects.
It is unlikely he was targeted for outdated secrets after 13 years of retirement.
Public and Media Response
The case has drawn national and international media attention, fueled by McCasland’s high-level military background and UFO community ties.
His disappearance occurred shortly after President Donald Trump announced a directive to declassify UFO-related records, adding to speculation.
Luis Elizondo, former Pentagon UFO program head, expressed concern but urged caution in speculation.
Despite rumors, authorities emphasize that the investigation is ongoing and based on credible leads, not conspiracy theories.
William McCasland Retired Air Force General Missing Vanished Disappearance Abducted
William Neil McCasland
3/19/2026

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