Wife of Missing UFO Expert Addresses Misinformation Surrounding Disappearance

The search for retired Air Force Major General William Neil McCasland entered its eleventh day with no sightings reported, as his wife spoke out to address what she calls “misinformation” surrounding his disappearance.

McCasland, who vanished on February 27 near Quail Run Court in Albuquerque, New Mexico, previously oversaw major Air Force science and technology portfolios and led the Air Force Research Laboratory. His disappearance has drawn national attention due to his past access to classified information and brief connections to UFO research.

Susan McCasland Wilkerson issued a statement via Facebook addressing several rumors that have emerged since her husband went missing. She clarified that while he has an unspecified health condition mentioned in the Silver Alert, he does not suffer from dementia.

“Neil is at some risk, but not from dementia,” Wilkerson stated. “He was not confused and disoriented.”

She also dismissed reports about a “concerning” phone call to a relative before his disappearance, calling it “a complete fabrication.”

An extensive search operation has been mobilized, involving the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, FBI’s Albuquerque field office, New Mexico State Search and Rescue, Albuquerque Mountain Rescue, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and the Albuquerque Police Department. Search teams have deployed ground units, horseback patrols, drones, helicopters, and various search dogs.

Authorities have contacted more than 600 homeowners in McCasland’s neighborhood requesting security footage or information that might help locate the missing retired general.

The case has attracted attention from UFO researchers due to McCasland’s professional background. After retiring from the Air Force nearly 13 years ago, he briefly worked as an unpaid consultant with former Blink-182 frontman Tom DeLonge’s organization To The Stars, which conducted UFO research.

Wilkerson downplayed speculation that her husband might have been kidnapped for classified information, noting that he retired 13 years ago and “has had only very commonly held clearances since.”

“It seems quite unlikely that he was taken to extract very dated secrets from him,” she wrote, adding with a touch of humor that “maybe the best hypothesis is that aliens beamed him up to the mothership.”

Investigative journalist Ross Coulthart, known for his work on UFOs, called McCasland’s disappearance “a grave national security crisis” during his podcast, noting that McCasland is a man “with some of the most sensitive secrets of the United States in his head.”

Coulthart also questioned the timing of the disappearance, which occurred shortly after former President Donald Trump announced he had directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to begin identifying and releasing government files related to UFOs and aliens.

McCasland’s disappearance comes at a time of heightened public interest in government knowledge of unidentified aerial phenomena. His previous position leading the Air Force Research Laboratory placed him in proximity to classified aerospace research and development programs, though his wife emphasized he does not possess special knowledge about alleged extraterrestrial materials from incidents like the Roswell crash.

According to police alerts, McCasland is described as 5 feet 11 inches tall, approximately 160 pounds, with blue eyes and white hair. The Silver Alert remains active as authorities continue their investigation.

Wilkerson expressed gratitude for the support from across the country and promised to provide updates if new information emerges. “I am so grateful to one and all for their unflagging dedicated efforts and support,” she wrote. “All the thoughts and prayers from around the country are much appreciated.”

As the search continues, investigators will keep reviewing security footage, pursuing leads, and coordinating efforts between federal and local agencies in hopes of locating the missing retired general.