New autopsy details reveal that Melissa Casias, an administrative assistant at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), sustained a gunshot wound to the head around the time of her death, though officials have not determined if it was a homicide or suicide. Her skeletal remains were discovered in May, 11 months after she vanished from her home in June 2025.
Casias, 53, disappeared after leaving her home without identification or a phone. Her remains were found in Carson National Forest, propped against a tree with a handgun nearby. The official autopsy stated the bullet entered the base of her skull and exited the left side of her head. However, the Office of the Medical Investigator could not definitively link the gunshot to her cause of death due to the decomposition of her remains. The medical examiner noted the wound occurred 'perimortem,' meaning around the time of death, but not necessarily the cause.
Authorities also noted that Casias's left hand and leg were found approximately 20 feet from her body, showing signs of wildlife scavenging. The cause of death was officially listed as 'undetermined,' and the proximity of the firearm to her head could not be established.
An anonymous law enforcement source, however, suggested to the Daily Mail that the details of the gunshot wound point to murder. The source questioned the trajectory of the bullet, arguing that if Casias had been holding the gun, recoil would have altered its path. "There's no way this was suicide, not from that angle," the source claimed. "She was murdered."
Casias's husband, Mark, was reportedly one of the last people to see her in June 2025 before he left for work at LANL. Casias had told her daughter she would be working from home that day after forgetting her work badge. However, she never reported to the lab. Her family later found a drop of blood in their home and discovered both of Casias's cellphones had been wiped and reset.
Casias was last seen on surveillance footage walking alone on a road about three miles from her home. David Adams, an attorney representing Casias's family, stated that relatives and volunteers found additional evidence at the crime scene after police had cleared it. These items included bones, torn clothing, a tobacco pouch, and hair strands that were not collected by investigators.
Adams expressed concerns about the initial investigation, suggesting potential mishandling of evidence by law enforcement. The circumstances of Casias's death have fueled speculation about her work at LANL, with fears she may have been targeted for classified information related to nuclear or rocket technology.
Her disappearance has also been linked to other missing persons cases in the Southwest involving former LANL employees and military personnel. The White House has reportedly directed the FBI to investigate potential connections between these cases. However, according to Adams, there have been no indications that the FBI is examining Casias's death specifically.
New Mexico State Police confirmed their investigation remains active but did not provide further details on potential suspects.
