On March 18, 2026, New Mexico authorities confirmed that the search for retired US Air Force General William Neil McCasland, 68, has faced major obstacles due to unusually hot weather.
Mr. McCasland went missing on the morning of February 27. His wife left the house for a medical appointment and returned less than an hour later to find her husband had vanished without a trace.
Authorities have deployed search teams using thermal drones, K9 units, and helicopters, but they are facing serious difficulties. High temperatures have caused rocky surfaces and mountains to radiate intense heat, similar to how many other areas are preparing to face record heat waves, making it impossible for equipment to distinguish human heat signatures from the surrounding environment.
Police stated that his wallet, a red backpack, and a handgun also disappeared from the home. One unusual detail: his phone and wearable devices were left behind—contrary to his usual habits when going out.
A shirt was found more than 2 km from the house, but the family has not yet confirmed if it belongs to him.
Authorities issued a Silver Alert, though they emphasized that Mr. McCasland remained mentally sharp. Previously, he had mentioned experiencing "brain fog," but there were no signs of disorientation when he disappeared.
The case has drawn significant attention because Mr. McCasland was a high-ranking Air Force general who once oversaw research at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base—a site long associated with UFO speculation. However, his family maintains that he held no "alien secrets," despite the rumors circulating online.
The FBI and local police are continuing their investigation. Dozens of leads have been submitted, reminiscent of the tireless search efforts in cases involving a missing Florida mother over the years, but no information has led to concrete results yet.
A man who once ran sensitive programs and was familiar with the terrain suddenly vanished in broad daylight—the longer the case goes on, the more unanswered questions arise. Unlike the successful rescue of the hiker lost for 5 days in the Oregon woods, the general's whereabouts remain a mystery.
