A newly released surveillance photograph shows retired Air Force Major General William Neil McCasland with a large parcel exiting a sporting goods store in New Mexico, one day before he vanished from his Albuquerque home on February 27. The image, obtained by Los Angeles Magazine through a Freedom of Information Act request and shared by the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office, depicts McCasland wearing sunglasses and appearing composed as he carried a white shipping bag and a smaller item.
According to his wife, Susan Wilkerson, McCasland departed their home around 11 a.m. local time, leaving behind his phone, wallet, wearable devices, and prescription glasses. Wilkerson stated her husband "planned not to be found" and had changed into different clothing, taking only a pair of boots and a .38-caliber revolver. The circumstances of his disappearance have garnered national attention due to his past involvement with U.S. nuclear secrets and alleged connections to individuals involved in UFO research.
The parcel McCasland is seen carrying has not been identified, though such bags are commonly used for mailing soft goods. Speculation online, as noted by reporter Lauren Conlin, suggests the items could have been pre-ordered for in-store pickup from REI, the store he was photographed exiting. The smaller yellow item in his hand has been likened to a lightweight first aid kit by social media users.
Previously released bodycam and 911 recordings from the time of his disappearance indicated McCasland may have had a set of clothes unknown to his wife, potentially disputing claims that he was not in possession of current classified information. During a 911 call, Wilkerson expressed concern that her husband had changed clothes and might be on foot.
One unidentified witness, claiming to have had dinner with McCasland and members of the U.S. Space Force the evening before his disappearance, stated McCasland was "spacey and quiet" and not acting like himself. This witness identified McCasland as having been the head of the Air Force Research Laboratory and possessing a high security clearance, with his name appearing in documents related to UFOs slated for release. McCasland was reportedly meeting with this group at a restaurant in Albuquerque shortly after the REI photograph was taken.
Wilkerson had informed police that McCasland was recently prescribed new medication for symptoms she feared indicated cognitive decline, including brain fog and sleep disturbances. Despite these reports, government officials have reportedly continued to consider McCasland a key figure in efforts to declassify information regarding UFOs and extraterrestrials. In May, UFO whistleblower David Grusch named McCasland as an individual who had overseen classified programs related to non-human craft recovery and reverse-engineering.
Intelligence experts have raised concerns that McCasland's disappearance, along with other incidents involving individuals linked to nuclear research and advanced technology, could be connected to foreign espionage. Former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker suggested that the pattern of disappearances warrants investigation by the FBI as a counter-espionage matter.