Human remains discovered in New Mexico have been identified as those of a missing Los Alamos National Laboratory employee, whose disappearance last year was linked to wider speculation about a group of missing or dead U.S. scientists.
The New Mexico Medical Investigator’s Office confirmed the remains were those of 53-year-old Melissa Casias. She’s among the 12 Americans with apparent ties to nuclear or space programs who have vanished or died since 2022. The group includes three missing or dead California NASA researchers and a nuclear scientist from MIT.
The mystery surrounding the 12 cases has fueled some conspiracy theories, and a handful of federal lawmakers have spoken out about the incidents. In some instances, police have ruled out foul play, while several families have dismissed bizarre theories about their loved ones.
Congress and the FBI have both launched investigations into the string of cases. When asked last month, President Donald Trump said “hopefully” the disappearances were just a “coincidence.”
Casias’ remains were found last week by a hiker in Carson National Forest, New Mexico State Police said Saturday. A handgun was also found alongside the remains.
The cause and manner of death remain unknown, and her remains will “undergo further anthropological examination” by the Office of the Medical Investigator, state police said.
Casias’ family released a statement confirming the findings via a Facebook page dedicated to her disappearance.
“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,” the family wrote.
A family spokesperson told NBC News they would not provide any further comments until after they meet with investigators.
Casias’ remains were found near McGaffey Ridge, which is about six miles from her home in Ranchos de Taos.
She was reported missing on June 26, after she “failed to arrive at work and did not return home that evening after visiting her daughter at work,” state police said. A family member later discovered she had left behind her purse, ID and cell phones.
Casias was last seen by a family acquaintance, who spotted her walking along a highway, New Mexico State Police spokesperson Ricardo Breceda told Dateline last year.
The family later discovered Casias was going through a “huge amount of stress,” and that there was “a lot crumbling down on her that we didn’t know about,” her daughter told Dateline.
The investigation into Casias’ death is ongoing, state police said.
“The Lab community’s thoughts are with Melissa Casias’ family,” a spokesperson for Los Alamos National Laboratory told The Independent.
Los Alamos National Laboratory was founded in 1943 as part of the Manhattan Project, a top-secret government program dedicated to building the first atomic bombs. The lab now focuses on research projects that pertain to U.S. national security, according to its website.
