Retired Air Force Major General William Neil McCasland, 68, walked out of his Albuquerque home on February 27 and disappeared without his phone, prescription glasses, or wearable devices—leaving authorities puzzled three weeks later about where he went, why he left, or whether foul play was involved.

Search Complicated by Unseasonable Weather

The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office deployed helicopters equipped with infrared cameras to scan the rugged cliffs and canyons near McCasland’s residence, hoping to detect his heat signature. The unseasonably warm spring temperatures rendered the technology useless. “The mountain was just lit up like a candle,” Lt. Kyle Woods explained at Monday’s news conference. “We couldn’t differentiate between heat signatures and the heat from the rocks.” Investigators have canvassed more than 700 homes and covered vast terrain using dogs, drones, and ground teams.

Missing Items and Mental Fog Reports

McCasland’s wallet, a .38-caliber revolver, a leather holster, and a red backpack remain unaccounted for. A gray Air Force sweatshirt was discovered 1.25 miles from his home on March 7, though his family has not confirmed it belonged to him. Initial testing detected no blood on the garment. McCasland owns a second home in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, where investigators found a light green shirt and hiking boots. Before his disappearance, McCasland reported experiencing “mental fog” and stepped down from various groups he worked with. Sheriff John Allen declined to elaborate out of respect for the family.

Distinguished Military Career Adds Mystery

The experienced hiker and outdoorsman once commanded the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, overseeing some of the Pentagon’s most advanced aerospace research. Woods emphasized McCasland’s capabilities remain intact despite the reported mental fog. “There’s no indication we are putting forward that Mr. McCasland was disoriented or confused,” Woods stated. “Arguably, he would still be the most intelligent person in the room that any of us would be in.” Surveillance cameras cover both ends of McCasland’s street, but authorities continue reviewing footage provided by residents. When asked about possible foul play, Woods said investigators “haven’t ruled anything out, but we have nothing pointing to it either.”

Vast Search Area Presents Challenges

The terrain surrounding McCasland’s Albuquerque home includes rocky cliffs, deep canyons, and numerous hidden areas where someone could become injured or lost. Sheriff Allen described the search zone as covering “a lot of square mileage” with difficult-to-reach sections that challenge even experienced search teams. Authorities issued a Silver Alert “out of an abundance of caution” to maximize public awareness, considering McCasland’s age and reported cognitive concerns. The investigation continues as family members and law enforcement seek answers about the retired general’s whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding his unexplained departure.