Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland, 68, vanished from his Albuquerque, New Mexico, home on February 27, shortly after reportedly expressing concerns about his cognitive abilities and attempting to resign from multiple sensitive government-connected research positions. Newly released police records, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request and first reported by the Daily Mail, shed new light on the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
"could not keep up, mentally, with the conversation" — Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland, as reported by Susan Wilkerson to investigators
According to documents summarizing a March 3 interview between McCasland’s wife, Susan Wilkerson, and investigators from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, McCasland had become increasingly worried about his mental sharpness. Wilkerson told investigators that her husband felt he "could not keep up, mentally, with the conversation" in his advisory and consulting roles tied to national security research.
Just days before his disappearance, McCasland traveled to Washington D.C. to resign from the board of Riverside Research, a non-profit organization that conducts scientific research, engineering, and advisory work for the Pentagon, the U.S. intelligence community, and the Air Force. Upon returning to New Mexico, he reportedly conveyed his cognitive struggles to his wife as the reason for his resignation.
The police records also indicate that McCasland remained a paid consultant for Sandia National Laboratories, a federally funded research and development center, and held positions with the Kirtland Partnership and a University Affiliated Research Center connected to the Department of Defense. Wilkerson informed investigators that her husband was also attempting to resign from the university-affiliated research program due to similar cognitive concerns, but leadership there allegedly encouraged him to remain in the position. These efforts to step down from his various roles appear to have been driven by personal health concerns rather than any disagreement with the organizations themselves.
On the evening of February 26, the day before he disappeared, McCasland attended a meeting with members of the U.S. Space Force. An anonymous witness who was present at the gathering later contacted investigators, stating that McCasland appeared unusually quiet, distracted, and unlike his usual self. The witness described the retired general as seeming "spacey" throughout the meeting.
McCasland left his Albuquerque home on February 27 without his cellphone, wearable electronic devices, or eyeglasses, according to authorities. He was reportedly carrying a handgun and had changed into clothing that his wife did not recognize. Authorities have not publicly announced whether they suspect foul play in the case, and no evidence released has established a connection between McCasland’s extensive former government work and his disappearance.
During his distinguished military career, Maj. Gen. McCasland commanded the Air Force Research Laboratory and held senior leadership roles involving advanced military research programs. His name has also emerged in public discussions related to congressional interest in historical unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) programs. Former Air Force intelligence officer David Grusch previously identified McCasland as a potential witness with knowledge of classified projects pertaining to UAPs. However, no official findings have linked McCasland’s disappearance to these allegations.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is assisting local authorities with the ongoing investigation. As of Wednesday, Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland had not been located, and officials confirm the investigation remains active as detectives continue to pursue leads surrounding his unexplained disappearance.
