Retired US Air Force Major General William Neil McCasland remains at the center of an ongoing mystery months after his disappearance in New Mexico, with a newly released photograph now drawing attention to the case and its alleged links to UFO-related claims
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The image reportedly surfaced following a Freedom of Information Act request filed by Los Angeles Magazine reporter Lauren Conlin.
McCasland’s disappearance has become the subject of online speculation after reports suggested he may have had access to classified military and UFO-related information during his Air Force career.
She was also quoted as telling a 911 dispatcher shortly after his disappearance: “He’s left his phone, he changed his clothes into I don’t know what. I think he’s on foot.”
Wilkerson further claimed that the retired general had “planned not to be found."
In a post shared on X, podcaster Lauren Conlin suggested that the items McCasland carried may have been collected through a pre-arranged pickup order rather than purchased during the visit.
“McCasland doesn’t appear to be carrying a traditional REI shopping bag,” Conlin wrote. She added that the retailer allows online purchases to be picked up in-store, leaving open the possibility that the items had been retrieved earlier.
The contents of the package remain unknown. However, some online users cited by the outlet speculated that a smaller yellow item seen in the image resembled a lightweight first-aid kit.
The case has gained attention after claims emerged linking McCasland to sensitive aerospace and military research programs.
An unidentified woman quoted by The Mirror US claimed she and a member of the US Space Force had dinner with McCasland the night before he disappeared. The woman alleged that the retired officer had ties to Air Force Research Laboratory projects and referenced his name appearing in “UFO documents” expected to be released publicly.
The same witness also claimed McCasland appeared unusually quiet and distracted during the meeting, saying he “wasn’t his usual self.”
Authorities have not publicly confirmed any UFO-related connection to the disappearance, and the investigation into McCasland’s whereabouts remains ongoing.
Prakriti Deb is a journalist at Hindustan Times Digital, where she is part of the US Desk. She works on stories related to American politics, crime, sports, entertainment and weather. She particularly enjoys covering political developments that have global ripples. Through her work, she aims to break down complex events in a way that feels simple and understandable. Before joining the Hindustan Times, she worked with The Indian Express Digital, where she covered world affairs. She holds a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication with a specialisation in Journalism, along with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature. Outside the newsroom, Prakriti enjoys travelling and stepping out of her comfort zone. She finds her sense of being through storytelling in all its forms, including conversations, painting, theatre, dance and photography. She appreciates discussions that challenge her perspective and help her see the world a little differently.Read More