William Neil McCasland AKA: Neil Neil McCasland, William M McCasland, William Mc, Neil McC
DOB: Nov 1957
Address: Quail Run Ct Ne, Albuquerque, NM 87122-1139

The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) continues the active search and investigation into the disappearance of 68-year-old William Neil McCasland, who was last seen on Friday, February 27, 2026, at approximately 11:00 a.m. in the area of Quail Run Court NE. A Silver Alert remains in effect.

Due to his background and established partnerships, BCSO is coordinating closely with multiple agencies, including the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, which is assisting as standard practice when it has a tool, tactic, or technique that may benefit the investigation. BCSO remains the lead agency.

The FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office and Kirtland Air Force Base are assisting BCSO in the effort to locate McCasland. McCasland was reportedly last seen Friday, February 27, around 11 a.m. near Quail Run Court NE. Anyone with information is urged to contact the BCSO or do the following:

• Check security video immediately (doorbell cameras, home or business cameras, dash cams) from Friday, Feb. 27 between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. in and around the Quail Run Court NE area and along any routes leading away from the neighborhood.
• Preserve original files if possible and do not edit or trim video before sharing.
• Share files here: https://berncosdnm.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/williammccasland If you believe you see Mr. McCasland, call 911 immediately.

Disappearance Timeline 

February 27, 2026

• 10:00 a.m. – A repairman was at the residence and interacted with Neil McCasland.  Source
• 11:10 a.m. – Susan McCasland Wilkerson left the home for a medical appointment.
• 12:04 p.m. – Susan McCasland Wilkerson returned home and Neil McCasland was not there.
• His phone, prescription glasses, and wearable devices were located at the residence.
• Afternoon (exact time not publicly released) – Susan McCasland Wilkerson began attempting to locate McCasland and contacted family and friends. McCasland’s family and associates became concerned when he could not be located.
• 3:07 p.m. – Susan McCasland Wilkerson reported him missing.
• 911 Transcript: Source
• April: This is April. How may I help you?
• Susan Wilkerson: Hi, April. My name is Susan Wilkerson. Um, my husband is missing.
• April: Okay.
• Susan Wilkerson: And he’s—it’s been about three hours and I have some indication that he must have planned not to be found. He’s left his phone. He changed his clothes into I don’t know what. I think he’s on foot. All of our cars and bicycles are in the garage. I left for a doctor’s appointment at about 11:10 and, uh, he was here at that time at the house and I got back from that at noon and he was gone. He turned it off and left it behind which seems kind of deliberate because he’s always got his phone. He has a smartwatch. I don’t know if that’s with him or not.
• April: Has he ever done this before?
• Susan Wilkerson: Never. Nothing even remotely like it. He’s a retired Air Force major general. He’s very responsible, but he’s also facing some medical issues.
• April: Do you have any video at your home?
• Susan Wilkerson: No.
• April: Has he been diagnosed with any mental, um, disorders or anything like that?
• Susan Wilkerson: Well, we’ve been seeing a doc for both physical and mental in terms of anxiety, short-term memory loss, lack of sleep. The same doc I went to see today.
• April: Does he carry any weapons on him?
• Susan Wilkerson: Well, not generally. I—he does have a gun safe and I went to look in the gun safe to see if anything was missing, but I couldn’t tell if anything was. He has quite a number of pistols and rifles. Other than saying if his brain, body keeps deteriorating, he didn’t want to live like that. But it seemed to me that was just a “man, I hate how this is going” kind of thing. ‘Cause I told him, “Yes, you do. Yes, you do.”
• April: Okay. We’re going to send some deputies up to talk to you. See if we can search a little bit and see what’s going on.
• Susan Wilkerson: Okay. Sure. Thank you very much.
• April: Welcome.
• 7:06 p.m. – The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office issued a Silver Alert for McCasland.
•  Authorities cited unspecified medical concerns as the reason they believed he might be in danger.
• A Silver Alert is issued when a missing adult may be because of the age or a vulnerable because of medical or cognitive conditions.
• The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Investigators determined that several items may have been taken from the residence:
• hiking boots
• wallet
• . 38 caliber revolver with leather holster
• Investigators believe McCasland may have been wearing a light green long-sleeve button-up outdoor shirt.  Source
• Public Request for Video Evidence The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office again asked residents and visitors in the area to review and submit security camera footage.
• Investigators specifically requested video recorded on:
• Friday, February 27, 2026
• Saturday, February 28, 2026
• Priority review window:
• 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Areas of interest include:
• Quail Run Court NE
• nearby streets and routes leading away from the neighborhood
• nearby Sandia foothills trails and open space areas
• Authorities also asked hikers, runners, and cyclists who were in the Sandia foothills or surrounding trails on February 27–28 to review:
• GoPro recordings
• cell phone video or photos
• Investigators stated that any footage that may contain images of William “Neil” McCasland or activity in the area could assist the investigation.

February 28, 2026

• Morning–Afternoon: Law enforcement begins initial search efforts around the Sandia Heights neighborhood near Quail Run Court NE.
• Deputies start canvassing nearby homes and trails for evidence or sightings.

March 1, 2026

• Search Expansion: The New Mexico Search and Rescue joins the investigation to assist with ground searches in the foothills behind McCasland’s neighborhood.
• Public Appeal: Authorities ask residents to review security camera footage from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on February 27 in the surrounding area.
• Investigators specifically request unedited footage from:
• Doorbell cameras
• Home surveillance systems
• Business security cameras
• Vehicle dash cameras
• 10:13 a.m. – Susan McCasland (wife) posts a public update on Facebook regarding the disappearance of William Neil McCasland. Source
• In the message, she asks the public to contact the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office if anyone saw McCasland after approximately 11:00 a.m. on February 27, 2026, the time authorities believe he was last seen.
• She states that he appears to be on foot, suggesting search efforts focus on nearby natural terrain. She identifies likely search areas including:
• Sandia foothills
• open space areas
• national forest land
• wilderness terrain
• The post encourages anyone with information to immediately call the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office at the number provided in the Silver Alert notice.
  “Neil vanished yesterday midday. There’s been no sign of him since. Does not seem to have been foul play at all.”  Source

March 2, 2026

• Ongoing Search Operations: Search teams deploy multiple resources including:
• Drones
• K9 units
• Helicopters
• Horseback search teams
• Ground search crews
• Law enforcement and volunteers search rugged foothills and trails behind the Sandia Heights neighborhood.
• Community Search Efforts: Residents begin organizing independent volunteer searches of nearby trails and ravines.
• McCasland did not appear to take common personal items, including:
• glasses
• cellphone
• smartwatch
• The Air Force released a statement on the retired general’s disappearance.
  “We are coordinating closely with local authorities and defer all updates regarding the search efforts to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office,” said Col. Justin Secrest, base commander of the 377th Air Base Wing at Kirtland, in a statement to the Albuquerque Journal.“Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”

March 3, 2026

• 3:33 p.m Update from BCSO The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) continues the active search and investigation into the disappearance of 68-year-old William Neil McCasland, who was last seen on Friday, February 27, 2026, at approximately 11:00 a.m. in the area of Quail Run Court NE. A Silver Alert remains in effect.
• BCSO can confirm Mr. McCasland is a retired U.S. Air Force general. Due to his background and established partnerships, BCSO is coordinating closely with multiple agencies, including the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, which is assisting as standard practice when it has a tool, tactic, or technique that may benefit the investigation.
• BCSO remains the lead agency. BCSO is coordinating with partners at Kirtland Air Force Base to expand outreach and speed information-sharing that may assist in locating Mr. McCasland. Sheriff John Allen, an Honorary Base Commander at Kirtland, is assisting with those coordination efforts.
• Over the past several days, BCSO has utilized significant resources and has conducted extensive efforts that include neighborhood canvassing, follow-up interviews, and coordinated search operations. Specialized assets have been deployed and additional partner agencies are providing assistance. A full canvas of the neighborhood is underway, and investigators are following up on every credible tip.
• “Our priority is finding Mr. McCasland safely,” said Sheriff John Allen. “Our investigators and search teams are working continuously, and we’re coordinating closely with our local, state, and federal partners. We’re asking the public to help by checking and preserving any security camera footage from the area and reporting any information immediately. We will share confirmed updates as soon as we can while protecting the integrity of the investigation.”
• What the community can do right now:
• Check security video immediately (doorbell cameras, home or business cameras, dash cams) from Friday, February 27, 2026 between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. in and around the Quail Run Court NE area and along any routes leading away from the neighborhood.
• Preserve original files if possible and do not edit or trim video before sharing. Share files here: https://berncosdnm.evidence.com/…/public/williammccasland
• If you believe you see Mr. McCasland, call 911 immediately. BCSO is also asking residents and business owners in the area who have not yet spoken with investigators to come forward as the neighborhood canvas continues. At this time, the case is being handled as a missing person / Silver Alert investigation, and BCSO is pursuing all credible leads.
• The Silver Alert was issued under New Mexico criteria for an endangered missing person age 50 or older with a clear indication of irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties. Due to privacy laws, BCSO will not release specific details regarding his medical information. How to submit tips:
• Call the BCSO Missing Persons Unit: 505-468-7070
• Submit an anonymous tip via Tip411 by texting BCSO and your tip to 847411 BCSO will continue working around the clock with its partners and will release additional information when confirmed details become available or when further community assistance is needed.

March 6, 2026

• 2:05 p.m. Public Statement from Wife Susan McCasland posts an update stating that William Neil McCasland has now been missing for one week. There has been no indication whatsoever of where he might be. Source
• 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.
• Rumors Control: 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.
• 4:41 p.m. One-Week Investigation Update The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office releases a public update marking one week since the disappearance of William Neil McCasland. Source
• Authorities reiterate that McCasland was last seen at his residence on Quail Run Court in Albuquerque on February 27, 2026.
• Search Efforts Continue: Investigators state they have worked closely with multiple partner agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Search efforts have included:
• extensive investigative work
• advanced technology resources
• follow-up on public tips 
• coordination with regional law enforcement partners
• No Evidence of Foul Play Investigators report that no evidence of foul play has been discovered at this stage of the investigation. Authorities emphasize that all scenarios remain under consideration while leads continue to be evaluated.
• Outdoor Activity Patterns Noted: Investigators note McCasland is an avid outdoorsman. He is known to frequently:
• hike
• run
• cycle
• Common activity areas include:
• Northeast Heights of Albuquerque
• Sandia foothills and mountain trails
• Public Appeal for Witnesses: Authorities ask anyone who may have been in the Sandia Mountains area on February 27 or February 28 to come forward. Investigators specifically request information from individuals who may have:
• seen McCasland on trails
• captured footage on GoPro cameras or other recording devices
• taken photos or videos in the area
• Clarification on Public Information: BCSO cautions the public that information circulating outside official sources may be inaccurate. Authorities state that speculation and unverified theories can complicate the investigation.
• Tip Requests: Investigators emphasize that even minor details may be important. Anyone with information is asked to contact: BCSO Missing Persons Unit:
• (505) 468-7070
• Anonymous Tip Line:  https://berncosdnm.evidence.com/…/public/williammccasland

March 7, 2026

• Investigators located a gray U.S. Air Force sweatshirt about 1.25 miles east of the McCasland residence. The item was collected and processed as evidence.  Source
• Initial processing detected no blood.
• Authorities stated the sweatshirt had not been confirmed by family or friends to belong to McCasland, but the discovery prompted additional targeted searches in the area.

March 12, 2026

• BCSO: Updated Timeline and Description in Search for William “Neil” McCasland: The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) continues the missing person investigation into the disappearance of 68-year-old William “Neil” McCasland, last known to have been at or near his residence in the area of Quail Run Court NE on the morning of Friday, February 27, 2026. A Silver Alert remains in effect, and Mr. McCasland remains missing. Source
• As previously stated, Mr. McCasland is a retired U.S. Air Force general. BCSO is the lead investigative agency and continues to coordinate with partner agencies in support of investigative follow-up and search operations, including the FBI Albuquerque Field Office when tools, tactics, or techniques can assist.
• Search resources are coordinated through the New Mexico Department of Public Safety and New Mexico State Police Search and Rescue system, with volunteer search teams assisting as requested. Tomorrow marks two weeks since his disappearance.
• BCSO is releasing the following verified timeline to provide clarity on what is known.
• On February 27 at approximately 10:00 a.m., a repairman was at the residence and interacted with Mr. McCasland.
• At approximately 11:10 a.m., Mrs. McCasland Wilkerson left the home for a medical appointment.
• At approximately 12:04 p.m., she returned home and Mr. McCasland was not there. His phone, prescription glasses, and wearable devices were located at the residence. Mrs. McCasland Wilkerson began attempting to locate Mr. McCasland and contacted family and friends.
• At approximately 3:07 p.m., she reported him missing and the investigation began immediately.
• As the investigation has progressed, BCSO has identified items believed to be unaccounted for from the residence. Investigators believe Mr. McCasland may have been wearing the shirt shown in the attached photo. The photo depicts Mr. McCasland wearing a light green, long sleeve button-up outdoor shirt. Additional items believed to be missing include his hiking boots, wallet, and a .38 caliber revolver with a leather holster.
• Investigators also located a gray U.S. Air Force sweatshirt approximately 1.25 miles east of the residence on Saturday, March 7. The item was collected and processed. No blood was detected during initial processing, and additional analysis is pending. The sweatshirt has not been confirmed by family or friends to be associated with Mr. McCasland; however, it prompted an additional targeted search effort in the area.
• BCSO continues to pursue all credible leads and follow up on every tip received. While there is currently no evidence indicating foul play, investigators are examining all available information as the case remains active. Investigators have expanded a neighborhood canvass to more than 700 homes, requesting security video and information. Additional search efforts have included drone operations, helicopter support, ground searches with Search and Rescue teams, and K 9 searches. To date, BCSO has not received any confirmed sighting or confirmed video showing Mr. McCasland leaving the area or indicating a direction of travel. Search efforts and investigative follow up are ongoing.
• The Silver Alert was issued based on information available early in the investigation that indicated Mr. McCasland could be at some level of risk and that additional public assistance was needed to locate him. Due to privacy laws, BCSO will not release medical details or speculate about his state of mind.
• BCSO is again asking anyone in the area to check and submit security camera footage from Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28, particularly between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. in and around Quail Run Court NE and routes leading away from the neighborhood. If you were in the foothills or on trails February 27 to 28, please review any GoPro or phone footage and submit anything that may help.

March 16, 2026

• Press Conference Source
• Neil McCasland recently reported he was experiencing mental fog symptoms.
• Items recently located at his Pagosa Springs House
• Light Green Long-Sleeve button-up outdoor shirt
• Hiking Boots
• Items still unaccounted for
• Wallet
• .38 Caliber Revolver and leather Holster
• Red Backpack

 The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference to provide updated information in the disappearance of William “Neil” McCasland.

• Sheriff John Allen said McCasland remained missing, the Silver Alert remained active, and there had been no confirmed sightings.
• Allen said the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office remained the lead investigative agency.
• He said the FBI Albuquerque Field Office was assisting with tools, tactics, and techniques that might aid the investigation.
• He said the Air Force Office of Special Investigations was assisting as needed.
• He said New Mexico Department of Public Safety, New Mexico State Police Search and Rescue, and volunteer search and rescue teams were also involved in the ongoing effort.
• Verified timeline restated by investigators: Sheriff Allen restated that on February 27, 2026,
• at 10:00 a.m., a repairman was at the residence and interacted with McCasland.
• at 11:10 a.m., Susan McCasland Wilkerson left for a medical appointment.
• at 12:04 p.m., Susan McCasland Wilkerson returned home and McCasland was not there.
• He said items found at the home included McCasland’s phone, prescription glasses, and wearable devices.
• He restated that at 3:07 p.m., McCasland was reported missing and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office began its investigation.
• Neighborhood canvas and video review: Sheriff Allen said investigators had conducted a large neighborhood canvas involving 700 homes.
• He said law enforcement continued asking the public for video, information, and recordings from the relevant time period.
• He said video requests and review remained ongoing.
• He said there had been no confirmed video or confirmed sighting showing McCasland’s direction of travel after he disappeared.
• Search efforts summarized: Sheriff Allen said search efforts had included:
• drones
• helicopter support
• drone operations
• numerous canine searches
• He said a follow-up had also been conducted regarding McCasland’s recent travel.
• He said law enforcement was also conducting an ongoing search of the McCasland home in Pagosa Springs.
• Sweatshirt evidence discussed: Sheriff Allen said a gray U.S. Air Force sweatshirt was located 1.25 miles east of the residence on March 7.
• He said the sweatshirt was collected and processed.
• He said no blood was detected during the initial processing.
• He said the sweatshirt had not been confirmed by family or friends to be associated with McCasland.
• He said the discovery prompted an additional targeted search in the area.
• He said the FBI and detectives then assisted with a grid search of the surrounding area for any other evidence or indications of travel.
• Reason for Silver Alert addressed: Sheriff Allen said New Mexico’s Silver Alert statute does not require a formal diagnosis of mental deterioration.
• He said McCasland was over age 50 and that investigators had received information that he had reported experiencing “mental fog.”
• Allen said that information contributed to the decision to issue the Silver Alert.
• He said McCasland had reportedly been looking into the issue of mental fog, but declined to provide further details out of respect for the family.
• Items believed unaccounted for Sheriff Allen said information developed over the weekend identified several items thought to be unaccounted for. He said these included:
• a light green long-sleeve button-up outdoor shirt
• hiking boots
• wallet
• .38 caliber revolver
• leather holster
• red backpack
• Clarification on missing clothing and boots Lieutenant Kyle Woods said the list of items being released was based on a process of elimination conducted with Susan McCasland Wilkerson and family members.
• Woods said the green shirt and boots had been considered unaccounted for as of the prior week.
• He said a further search of the Pagosa Springs residence located those items there.
• He said investigators were therefore clarifying that those items had at one point been thought missing, but were later found in Pagosa Springs.
• Woods said investigators were not saying McCasland definitively left wearing those items, only that they had been trying to identify what might have been missing and useful for search purposes.
• No indication McCasland was disoriented: Lieutenant Woods said there was no indication McCasland was disoriented or confused.
• Woods described him as highly intelligent and highly capable.
• Woods said the “mental fog” description came from McCasland’s own statement about what he had been experiencing.
• Woods said that statement had been made within the prior few months.
• Woods said there was no indication of behavioral issues, suicidal thoughts, or similar concerns.
• Why investigators focused on the Sandia foothills: Woods said McCasland was an avid outdoorsman and investigators were able to review data from his wearable devices.
• device history showed McCasland commonly visited the Elena Gallegos area and Domingo Baca Canyon.
• Woods said interviews with people who had been outdoors with McCasland also indicated that area was a favored location, especially the upper portions of the canyon.
• He said search efforts were first focused east of the residence into that area.
• Search conditions in the canyon Woods said searchers had covered a large amount of terrain in the canyon, except for some very difficult-to-reach parts of the canyon wall. He said those areas had still been examined using:
• drones
• helicopter support
• night flights
• FLIR imaging
• He said unusually warm spring temperatures made heat-signature interpretation difficult because the rocks were radiating significant heat, even during the coldest overnight hours.
• No evidence pointing to foul play, but nothing ruled out: Woods said investigators had conducted in-depth interviews with people in the immediate area.
• He said they had surveillance video covering both ends of parts of the street and were continuing to review that footage along with other community video.
• He said investigators had nothing suggesting anything nefarious occurred in the relevant time frame.
• He said they had not ruled anything out, but also had nothing presently pointing to foul play.
• Discussion of the missing revolver
• Woods said McCasland did not commonly hike with a weapon and that a firearm would have been more associated with overnight camping or personal protection.
• He said investigators wanted the public to know about the missing .38 caliber revolver in case it had been sold, discarded, or otherwise surfaced.
• He said a spent .38 special casing found in the mountains would be of interest to investigators.
• Tip volume and agency manpower: Sheriff Allen said investigators had received 26 tips through Tip411 and 48 tips through the evidence portal, for a total of 74 tips through those technology channels alone.
• Lieutenant Woods later said investigators were at around 80 total tips known to them at that point, not including all tips separately coming to the FBI.
• Woods said the sheriff’s office had deployed roughly a dozen to 20 investigators over the weekend for canvassing.
• He said the FBI had brought in roughly a similar number of personnel from its local office, as well as a command post.
• Search geography Woods said the active search footprint was then limited to:
• New Mexico
• the McCasland home in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Pagosa Springs location was being reviewed for any evidence of pre-planning or information about items believed missing.
• FBI role described FBI Special Agent in Charge Justin A. Garrett said the bureau had assisted Bernalillo County with:
• interviews
• intelligence analysis
• surveillance
• aerial and geospatial mapping
• He said the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit had also reviewed the case file and provided input.
• Garrett said the FBI could provide additional resources if requested by Bernalillo County.
• Repairman interview
• During the press conference, investigators confirmed they had spoken with the repairman, the last publicly identified person known to have seen McCasland at the residence that morning.
• Leaving without phone was out of character
• Woods said leaving without his cell phone and wearable devices was not normal behavior for McCasland.
• He said that fact was one reason investigators had treated the disappearance as abnormal and concerning from the start.
• Canine search notes
• Woods said search-and-rescue teams had deployed cadaver dogs during operations in the foothills and upper canyons.
• He said one lower-foothill alert involved a deer carcass.
• He said there was one instance in the upper canyon where dogs may have detected some scent, but high winds made it impossible to isolate a specific source or direction.
• He said teams advanced as far as they safely could, but without clear tracks or a stronger indicator, they could not continue farther into unsafe terrain.
• Traffic and business cameras
• Woods said investigators had preserved available camera footage along Tramway where possible.
• Department of Transportation cameras, such as at Tramway and San Rafael, were live-feed only and did not provide retrievable historical footage.
• Investigators had also canvassed businesses for surveillance footage.
• He said nothing from that footage had yet stood out as a pattern or vehicle of specific interest, though substantial amounts of video were still being reviewed.
• Case remains both search and investigation
• Woods said the hope remained that McCasland was alive, but investigators also recognized that other possibilities had to be considered.
• He said if evidence indicated the case had become a recovery mission, investigators would pursue that with the same effort.
• He said that if McCasland had gone into the mountains on February 27, the likelihood of surviving after this amount of time would be very low.
• No evidence of enemies or threats
• Woods said investigators had heard nothing but positive descriptions of McCasland from family, friends, and the outdoor community.
• He said investigators had found nothing indicating ill will toward him from anyone.

Investigation:

Multi-Agency Search

• Federal and military partners begin assisting in the search:
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Kirtland Air Force Base
• Authorities describe this as standard inter-agency cooperation because of McCasland’s background and connections.

Investigation Status

• Authorities state:
• There are no signs of criminal activity or kidnapping.
• The case is currently treated as a missing person investigation.

Public Information Released

• McCasland’s physical description is distributed:
• Height: 5 ft 11 in
• Weight: about 160 pounds
• Hair: white/gray
• Eyes: blue

Search Status

• As of early March 2026:
• The search remains active and ongoing.
• Authorities continue requesting tips and security footage.

Key Known Facts Investigators Have Confirmed

• Last confirmed sighting: Feb 27, 2026, about 11:00 a.m.
• Location: Quail Run Court NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Case classification: Silver Alert missing person
• Reason for alert: medical concerns
• Direction of travel: unknown
• Clothing description: unknown

William Neil McCasland AKA: Neil Neil McCasland, William M McCasland, William Mc, Neil McC
DOB: Nov 1957
Address: Quail Run Ct Ne, Albuquerque, NM 87122-1139

Birth and Early Life

1957

• William Neil McCasland is born in the United States.
• He is raised in a U.S. Air Force family. His father was an Air Force officer.

Education

June 1979

• Graduates from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
• Earns a Bachelor of Science in Astronautical Engineering.
• Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. Source

June 1980

• Earns Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Source

August 1988

• Receives Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Astronautical Engineering from MIT. Source

Early Air Force Career

June 1979

• Assigned to Payload Systems Division
• Secretary of the Air Force Office of Special Projects
• Los Angeles Air Force Base, California.

September 1979

• Begins graduate student assignment, Air Force Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

September 1980

• Completes graduate student assignment at MIT via AFIT.
• Earns Master of Science in aeronautical engineering, MIT. Source

October 1980

• Begins assignment as payload development engineer, Secretary of the Air Force Office of Special Projects-6, Los Angeles AFB, California.  Source

Early technical roles and doctorate

May 30, 1981

• Promoted to First Lieutenant. Source

March 1984

• Completes payload development engineer assignment, SAF Office of Special Projects-6, Los Angeles AFB

April 1984

• Begins assignment as Chief, Payload Systems Division, Secretary of the Air Force Office of Special Projects-8, Los Angeles AFB.

June 1985

• Returns to MIT for doctoral studies. Source

March 1, 1988

• Promoted to Major.

August 1988

• Completes PhD and returns to Los Angeles Air Force Base.
• Assigned as Assistant Director, Office of Special Projects-13. Source

October 1988

• Begins assignment as assistant director, Systems Engineering, Secretary of the Air Force Office of Special Projects-13, Los Angeles AFB.

April 1, 1991

• Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

May 1992

• Completes assignment as assistant director, Systems Engineering, SAF Office of Special Projects-13.

Space and Intelligence Programs

July 1992

• Assigned to Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado.
• Serves as Director of Mission Planning at the Aerospace Data Facility.

July 1994

• Leaves Buckley assignment after two years leading mission planning operations.

August 1994

• Begins assignment as student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama.

Professional Military Education

May 1995

• Completes Air War College student assignment.

June 1995

• Returns to Buckley Air Force Base.
• Assigned as Commander, Operations Squadron, Aerospace Data Facility.

July 1995

• Attends Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. ( U.S. Air Force)

July 1997

• Completes command of the Aerospace Data Facility operations squadron.

August 1997

• Begins assignment as Chief Engineer, Navstar GPS Joint Program Office, Los Angeles AFB.

August 1, 1998

• Promoted to Colonel.

Acquisition and Research Leadership

1999

• Completes Advanced Program Manager’s Course
• Defense Systems Management College, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. ( U.S. Air Force)

March 2000

• Completes Chief Engineer assignment, Navstar GPS Joint Program Office.

April 2000

• Begins assignment as System Program Director, Space Based Laser Project Office, Los Angeles AFB.

July 2001

• Assigned as Director, Space Vehicles Directorate
• Air Force Research Laboratory. ( Nellis Air Force Base)

September 2001

• Completes System Program Director assignment, Space Based Laser Project Office.

October 2001

• Begins assignment as Materiel Wing Director, AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate, and Commander, Phillips Research Site, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.

May 2004

• Completes assignment as Materiel Wing Director, AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate, and Commander, Phillips Research Site.

June 2004

• Begins assignment as Vice Commander, Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill AFB, Utah. ( Nellis Air Force Base)

October 2005

• Completes Vice Commander assignment, Ogden Air Logistics Center.

October 2005

• Begins assignment as Vice Commander, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB

June 2007

• Assigned to the Pentagon as Director of Space Acquisition
• Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. Source

June 2009

• Appointed Director of Special Programs
• Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. ( Wikipedia)

December 3, 2007

• Promoted to Major General.

June 2009

• Becomes Executive Secretary of the Special Access Program Oversight Committee (SAPOC) overseeing classified defense programs.

Air Force Research Laboratory Command

May 13, 2011

• Assumes command of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)
• Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Source

January 15, 2013

• AIAA Recognition (Associate Fellow): Listed as an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) in connection with the 51st AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting this year, reflecting his professional affiliation post-retirement

July 29, 2013

• Relinquishes command of AFRL to Maj. Gen. Thomas Masiello. Source

Retirement

October 1, 2013

• Retires from the United States Air Force
• Rank: Major General
• Total service: 34 years. ( wpafb.af.mil)

Post-Military Career

January 7, 2014

• Named Director of Technology  Source
• Applied Technology Associates
• Albuquerque, New Mexico.

March 5, 2019

• His Wife Susan McCasland Wilkerson Retired

June 27, 2019

• Joins Board of Trustees
• Riverside Research. Source

September 19, 2019

• Riverside Research publishes its announcement of his election to the Board of Trustees, and reiterates his ATA role and prior Air Force career summary.

April 19, 2023

• USRA states the trustee appointments became effective April 19, 2023, including Maj Gen Neil McCasland, USAF, Ret., as one of three newly elected board members.

May 8, 2023

• USRA publicly announces the election of Maj Gen Neil McCasland, USAF, Ret., to its Board of Trustees.
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