Topline: Retired Maj. Gen. William McCasland vanished from his home Feb. 27, leaving behind his mobile phone but taking a firearm.
Published: March 18, 2026 6:00 am ET
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Retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. William N. McCasland
(via U.S. Air Force)
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office is increasing search efforts for retired Air Force Maj. Gen. William N. “Neil” McCasland, who disappeared from his Albuquerque home Feb. 27.
McCasland, 68, was last seen at his residence at 10 a.m. when he spoke with a repairman, Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen said during a news conference on March 16. Investigators determined a window for his disappearance after McCasland’s wife left for a medical appointment at 11:10 a.m.
When she returned at 12:04 p.m., McCasland was gone, ABC News reported. She reported him missing at 3:07 p.m. that day, according to the sheriff.
Before he vanished, McCasland told others he was experiencing a “mental fog” and was seeking medical advice, Allen said. These health concerns led the retired general to step down from several professional groups, as reported by CNN News.
Despite these comments, Lt. Kyle Woods said there was no evidence McCasland appeared disoriented or confused at the time of his disappearance. Woods described him as an individual who would likely be “the most intelligent person in the room.”
Authorities found McCasland’s mobile phone at the house. Investigators told ABC News that leaving the device behind was unusual for him.
Deputies have canvassed hundreds of homes and interviewed neighbors. Woods said there is currently no evidence suggesting foul play occurred.
Search teams have utilized drones, helicopters and dogs to sweep the area. A gray U.S. Air Force sweatshirt was recovered about 1.25 miles east of the residence, but Allen said family and friends have not confirmed if the item belonged to McCasland. Testing revealed no traces of blood on the sweatshirt, the sheriff said.
Several items belonging to McCasland remain missing, including his wallet, a red backpack and a .38 caliber revolver in a leather holster.
McCasland had a long career in military intelligence and technology. He held various roles in space research and operations for the Air Force and the National Reconnaissance Office, according to Air Force records.
His assignments included director positions at the Pentagon. He also commanded the Phillips Research Site at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico and the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.
Allen asked residents to review surveillance footage from Feb. 27, specifically between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. There have been no confirmed sightings or video clips showing which way McCasland traveled after leaving his home, according to CNN News.
When asked if investigators believe something nefarious may have happened to McCasland, Woods said, “We haven’t ruled anything out, but we have nothing pointing to it either.”
Allen said the sheriff’s office will “look into everything,” but stressed that authorities deal in facts, not conspiracy theories. Anyone with information can contact the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 505-468-7070.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Search Intensifies for Missing Retired Air Force General in New Mexico
Retired Maj. Gen. William McCasland vanished from his home Feb. 27, leaving behind his mobile phone but taking a firearm.
By Kate Byrd
Published: March 18, 2026 6:00 am ET
Retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. William N. McCasland
(via U.S. Air Force)
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office is increasing search efforts for retired Air Force Maj. Gen. William N. “Neil” McCasland, who disappeared from his Albuquerque home Feb. 27.
McCasland, 68, was last seen at his residence at 10 a.m. when he spoke with a repairman, Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen said during a news conference on March 16. Investigators determined a window for his disappearance after McCasland’s wife left for a medical appointment at 11:10 a.m.
When she returned at 12:04 p.m., McCasland was gone, ABC News reported. She reported him missing at 3:07 p.m. that day, according to the sheriff.
Before he vanished, McCasland told others he was experiencing a “mental fog” and was seeking medical advice, Allen said. These health concerns led the retired general to step down from several professional groups, as reported by CNN News.
Despite these comments, Lt. Kyle Woods said there was no evidence McCasland appeared disoriented or confused at the time of his disappearance. Woods described him as an individual who would likely be “the most intelligent person in the room.”
Authorities found McCasland’s mobile phone at the house. Investigators told ABC News that leaving the device behind was unusual for him.
Deputies have canvassed hundreds of homes and interviewed neighbors. Woods said there is currently no evidence suggesting foul play occurred.
Search teams have utilized drones, helicopters and dogs to sweep the area. A gray U.S. Air Force sweatshirt was recovered about 1.25 miles east of the residence, but Allen said family and friends have not confirmed if the item belonged to McCasland. Testing revealed no traces of blood on the sweatshirt, the sheriff said.
Several items belonging to McCasland remain missing, including his wallet, a red backpack and a .38 caliber revolver in a leather holster.
McCasland had a long career in military intelligence and technology. He held various roles in space research and operations for the Air Force and the National Reconnaissance Office, according to Air Force records.
His assignments included director positions at the Pentagon. He also commanded the Phillips Research Site at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico and the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.
Allen asked residents to review surveillance footage from Feb. 27, specifically between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. There have been no confirmed sightings or video clips showing which way McCasland traveled after leaving his home, according to CNN News.
When asked if investigators believe something nefarious may have happened to McCasland, Woods said, “We haven’t ruled anything out, but we have nothing pointing to it either.”
Allen said the sheriff’s office will “look into everything,” but stressed that authorities deal in facts, not conspiracy theories. Anyone with information can contact the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 505-468-7070.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Search Intensifies for Missing Retired Air Force General in New Mexico
Retired Maj. Gen. William McCasland vanished from his home Feb. 27, leaving behind his mobile phone but taking a firearm.
By Kate Byrd
Published: March 18, 2026 6:00 am ET
Retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. William N. McCasland
(via U.S. Air Force)
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office is increasing search efforts for retired Air Force Maj. Gen. William N. “Neil” McCasland, who disappeared from his Albuquerque home Feb. 27.
McCasland, 68, was last seen at his residence at 10 a.m. when he spoke with a repairman, Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen said during a news conference on March 16. Investigators determined a window for his disappearance after McCasland’s wife left for a medical appointment at 11:10 a.m.
When she returned at 12:04 p.m., McCasland was gone, ABC News reported. She reported him missing at 3:07 p.m. that day, according to the sheriff.
Before he vanished, McCasland told others he was experiencing a “mental fog” and was seeking medical advice, Allen said. These health concerns led the retired general to step down from several professional groups, as reported by CNN News.
Despite these comments, Lt. Kyle Woods said there was no evidence McCasland appeared disoriented or confused at the time of his disappearance. Woods described him as an individual who would likely be “the most intelligent person in the room.”
Authorities found McCasland’s mobile phone at the house. Investigators told ABC News that leaving the device behind was unusual for him.
Deputies have canvassed hundreds of homes and interviewed neighbors. Woods said there is currently no evidence suggesting foul play occurred.
Search teams have utilized drones, helicopters and dogs to sweep the area. A gray U.S. Air Force sweatshirt was recovered about 1.25 miles east of the residence, but Allen said family and friends have not confirmed if the item belonged to McCasland. Testing revealed no traces of blood on the sweatshirt, the sheriff said.
Several items belonging to McCasland remain missing, including his wallet, a red backpack and a .38 caliber revolver in a leather holster.
McCasland had a long career in military intelligence and technology. He held various roles in space research and operations for the Air Force and the National Reconnaissance Office, according to Air Force records.
His assignments included director positions at the Pentagon. He also commanded the Phillips Research Site at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico and the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.
Allen asked residents to review surveillance footage from Feb. 27, specifically between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. There have been no confirmed sightings or video clips showing which way McCasland traveled after leaving his home, according to CNN News.
When asked if investigators believe something nefarious may have happened to McCasland, Woods said, “We haven’t ruled anything out, but we have nothing pointing to it either.”
Allen said the sheriff’s office will “look into everything,” but stressed that authorities deal in facts, not conspiracy theories. Anyone with information can contact the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 505-468-7070.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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