Remains of Missing Los Alamos National Laboratory Worker Melissa Casias Found
June 1st, 2026Via: Newsweek:
The remains of Melissa Casias, an administrative assistant at Los Alamos National Laboratory, have been found almost a year after she went missing. Casias’ case was one of a number of deaths and disappearances of U.S. scientists and government employees that attracted public attention earlier this year, sparking speculations of nefarious plots against individuals with access to sensitive information.
Casias was 53 years old when she went missing on June 26, 2025, roughly 70 miles away from the New Mexican town of Taos, where she lived. That same day, she failed to report for work, and her family said they found her belongings, including keys and a cellphone that had been reset to factory settings, at home—but Casias was gone.
On May 28, a hiker found a body in the McGaffey Ridge area of Carson National Forest, and it has been identified as Casias. The cause and manner of her death are still to be determined.
The New Mexico State Police said in a statement on Sunday that a handgun was found alongside Casias’ remains.
“We confirm that the remains found in Rio Chiquito are Melissa. There will be more information to come but what we can tell you now is she was located in an area previously searched. This is a lot to process, our hearts are heavy and we fully intend to continue to pursue answers for justice,” Casias’ family said in a statement shared on social media.
Related: Dave Pailides – Missing 411
