Lab worker who vanished last year found dead in New Mexico
· Toronto Sun
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The body of a woman who worked at a New Mexico laboratory was discovered nearly one year after she disappeared without a trace.
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Melissa Casias, 53, was reported missing on June 26, 2025, after she dropped lunch off for her daughter and failed to return to work or show up at home.
Casias’ disappearance sparked concern after her family discovered that her personal belongings, including her purse, identification, and cell phones, had been left behind, prompting a missing person investigation.
She was last seen at about 2:15 p.m. local time walking along a highway and was classified as a “missing endangered” person, according to an advisory bulletin issued by New Mexico State Police at the time.
Last week, a hiker came upon the remains in the McGaffey Ridge area of the Carson National Forest, about 24 km from Taos, where Casias lived.
A handgun was found near the remains, state police said in a news release .
What’s going on at the Los Alamos National Laboratory?
Casias was employed as an administrative assistant at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, her niece Jazmin McMillen told KRQE last year.
She was the second person who worked at the lab to go missing last year, following the disappearance of former employee Anthony Chavez, 78, on May 8, 2025.
Both were among a group of at least 10 missing or dead scientists and laboratory workers with ties to sensitive nuclear or space technology labs, including Los Alamos National Laboratory and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Most were involved in nuclear science and space research, with some connected to the study of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs), and some directly linked to space defence technologies now being commercialized by SpaceX and Blue Origin.
The FBI launched an investigation into possible connections between the cases after the House Oversight Committee had already begun a probe into allegations that people connected to “U.S. nuclear secrets or rocket technology” had died or vanished in recent years.
“Public reports raise questions about a possible sinister connection between a string of mysterious deaths and disappearances which began in 2023,” House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., and Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., wrote in an April 20 letter to FBI Director Kash Patel.
Authorities have not announced any link between Casias’ death and the other cases.
It is unclear how Casias died or whose handgun was found beside her body.
The medical examiner’s office will conduct tests to determine the cause and manner of her death, police said.
Family confirms the discovery
The family released a statement on the social media page called “Find Melissa Mondragon Casias,” which has been dedicated to her case.
“We confirm that the remains found in Rio Chiquito are Melissa,” they said in the statement .
“There will be more information to come but what we can tell you now is she was located in an area previously searched,” the family continued. “This is a lot to process, our hearts are heavy and we fully intend to continue to pursue answers for justice.”
The investigation “remains active and ongoing,” police said in a statement.
“The New Mexico State Police extend their deepest condolences to the Casias and Mondragon families during this difficult time.”