A retired Air Force general tied to classified programs and UFO circles has vanished without a trace, just months after a rocket scientist linked to his work disappeared under nearly identical circumstances, raising serious questions and fueling intense speculation.
Major General William Neil McCasland, 68, was last seen on Feb. 27, leaving his Albuquerque home for a hike with only a backpack, wallet, and a .38-caliber revolver. Hours later, he was gone.
His phone, glasses, and smartwatch were left behind, which authorities say is unusual given his normal habits.
Despite a massive search involving drones, helicopters, K-9 units, and ground crews, no trace of McCasland has been found.
Investigators even went door-to-door across roughly 700 homes searching for leads.
Weeks later, the only item discovered was a sweatshirt found about a mile from his home, with no confirmed link and no signs of foul play.
The case took a darker turn when it was linked to the earlier disappearance of aerospace engineer Monica Reza, 60, who worked on rocket technology connected to McCasland’s Air Force programs.
She vanished in June 2025 while hiking in California, just 30 feet behind a companion. One moment she was there, the next she was gone. Her body has never been recovered.
Both individuals were deeply tied to advanced aerospace research. Reza worked for Aerojet Rocketdyne and helped develop high-performance materials used in rocket engines, including technology tied to replacing Russian RD-180 engines.
McCasland oversaw Air Force programs connected to similar research and previously led work at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, long rumored to house some of the nation’s most sensitive projects.
The overlap has sparked widespread speculation online, especially given McCasland’s reported involvement in UFO-related discussions after retirement.
Some sources described him as a “gatekeeper” in that community, while others pointed to the timing of his disappearance, which came just days after President Donald Trump pledged to release classified UFO files, as the Daily Mail reported.
Authorities, however, are pushing back on those theories. Sheriff John Allen said investigators are reviewing every tip but warned that many involve “outlandish” conspiracy claims that slow down the search. Officials have found no evidence of abduction, foul play, or any connection to classified programs.
McCasland’s wife also addressed the speculation directly, saying his limited involvement in UFO circles is not a reason for his disappearance. She acknowledged the theories but dismissed them, saying there has been no evidence of anything unusual beyond the fact that he is missing.
Investigators did note that McCasland experienced a reported “mental fog” in the months before he vanished, though they emphasized there is no indication he was disoriented at the time. Some former officials have suggested the possibility of suicide, but authorities have not confirmed any conclusion.
What makes the situation stand out is the pattern. Two highly intelligent individuals tied to advanced aerospace work, both disappearing during routine hikes, both leaving behind no clear evidence. That alone is enough to raise eyebrows, even without the UFO angle.
