Hiker discovers body of missing New Mexico nuclear lab worker, police say

A hiker discovered the remains of Melissa Casias, a 54-year-old Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) worker, in the McGaffey Ridge area of New Mexico’s Carson National Forest on July 6, 2026. Police confirmed Casias’ identity through the Office of the Medical Investigator, noting a handgun was found near her body, but the cause and manner of death have not been determined. The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau stated further anthropological examination is underway. Casias, from Taos, New Mexico, was reported missing on June 25, 2025, after failing to arrive at work or return home following a visit to her daughter. Authorities issued a Missing Endangered Advisory, and her family later found her purse, identification, and cellphones abandoned, raising immediate concerns. The investigation remains active. Her disappearance is part of a broader pattern involving 11 individuals with suspected ties to U.S. nuclear secrets or rocket technology, which has drawn attention from President Donald Trump and the House Oversight Committee. In an April 2026 letter to FBI Director Kash Patel, the committee requested information about "unconfirmed public reporting" linking mysterious deaths and vanishings since 2023, including cases tied to LANL, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and MIT. Authorities have not confirmed any direct connection between Casias’ case and the other investigations, though the House Oversight Committee cited reports of suspicious circumstances. Rep. Eric Burlison and Chairman James Comer emphasized the need for federal agencies to address potential security risks, though no official links have been established. The White House is reviewing the cases for possible connections. Casias’ family, including her daughter, has been notified, and New Mexico State Police extended condolences to the Casias and Mondragon families. The investigation into her death and the broader pattern of missing scientists remains ongoing.