A retired major general from the United States Air Force, Neil McCasland, has gone missing from his Albuquerque home, prompting widespread concern and speculation. The 60-year-old, who served as the commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base until his retirement in 2013, was last seen on February 27.
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In the wake of his disappearance, his wife, Susan McCasland Wilkerson, has taken to social media to clarify misconceptions regarding his involvement with UFO research, which has gained traction in public discussions about his case. She described a connection her husband had with Tom DeLonge, the former Blink-182 frontman and founder of the organisation To The Stars. Wilkerson explained that McCasland assisted DeLonge as an unpaid consultant shortly after retiring, primarily to lend credibility to DeLonge’s creative projects involving military and scientific themes.
Despite these links, Wilkerson has been vocally critical of the theories arising from her husband’s academic interests. She stated unequivocally that her husband possessed no unusual knowledge about extraterrestrial matters and pushed back against comments suggesting he was involved in UFO-related research in any significant or conspiratorial capacity. “Though at this point with absolutely no sign of him, maybe the best hypothesis is that aliens beamed him up to the mothership,” she wrote in a Facebook post. Still, she clarified that no sightings of such a mothership had been reported over the Sandia Mountains.
Wilkerson addressed reports of McCasland’s health, refuting claims that he suffered from dementia. Officials issued a silver alert, expressing concern over his safety due to unspecified medical issues. However, she indicated that initial details may have been misleading, noting that the alert was based on information available at the beginning of the investigation and would not expand on his mental state or health publicly.
The search for McCasland has been extensive, with investigators canvassing over 700 homes in the area for potential security footage or information regarding his whereabouts. Drone operations and ground searches, alongside canine assistance, have been employed by the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. The FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office has also joined the search, a move deemed standard practice to leverage various investigative resources.
According to officials, items missing from McCasland’s home include his hiking boots, wallet, and a .38 calibre revolver, while his mobile phone and prescription glasses were left behind. Furthermore, a U.S. Air Force sweatshirt found over a mile from his residence has raised questions, though its ownership has yet to be confirmed.
As the investigation continues, authorities have encouraged residents in the vicinity to check their security cameras or mobile phone footage for any insights into McCasland’s disappearance. The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office assured the community that they are thoroughly pursuing all credible leads and tips received during the ongoing search for the former major general, noting that currently, there is no evidence of foul play.
The investigation remains active as McCasland’s wife continues to express appreciation for the support they have received. She has assured the public that she will provide updates should any concrete information emerge regarding his case. In the interim, the family and friends of McCasland hold onto hope as the community rallies around them during this troubling time.