by David Hawkins
The unexplained disappearance of retired Air Force Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland is drawing renewed attention to another unsolved case involving an aerospace engineer who vanished months earlier, as authorities work to determine whether the two incidents are connected.
McCasland disappeared on February 27 after leaving his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on foot around 11 a.m., according to local officials.
His disappearance has prompted a multi-agency search and a surge of public interest due to his background in sensitive military research.
Second Missing Person Case Raises New Questions
The case has now intersected with the earlier disappearance of Monica Reza, who went missing in June while hiking in a forest near Los Angeles.
According to reports, Reza was last seen walking roughly 30 feet behind a hiking companion before suddenly vanishing.
She had worked as an aerospace engineer on a government-funded rocket materials project that was overseen by McCasland.
Authorities have not confirmed a connection between the two cases but say the overlap is under review.
“Detectives are looking into this to see if there is any connection at all,” the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department said.
National Security Concerns and UFO Speculation
McCasland’s disappearance has sparked heightened attention due to his long career overseeing advanced Air Force science and technology programs.
Journalist Ross Coulthart, known for investigating UFO-related topics, described the situation as a “grave national security crisis.”