Former FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer has shared a theory on the high-profile disappearance of retired Air Force general William Neil McCasland, suggesting that he may have left of his own free will.
The Context
According to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), the 68-year-old’s last known location was at or near his residence in the area of Quail Run Court NE on the morning of Friday, February 27, 2026, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
His phone, prescription glasses, and wearable devices were located at the residence, but missing items included his hiking boots, wallet, and a .38 caliber revolver. Police also said he suffered from an unspecified medical condition.
As previously reported by Newsweek, McCasland held high-ranking roles in the U.S. Air Force spanning science, technology and space research, and was a commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright‑Patterson Air Force Base. His career included key roles in space acquisition and operations, as well as Pentagon posts on defense, space and technology initiatives.
McCasland’s disappearance has caused a stir in UFO circles, which have suggested that it may be connected to his work, despite no confirmation of any foul play from police.
The case has also caught congressional attention, with Missouri Republican Representative Eric Burlison suggesting recently McCasland has “a lot of information” on the topic of UFOs.
His wife, however, has pushed back against any possible connection between McCasland’s work and his disappearance.
What To Know
Speaking with NewsNation, Coffindaffer noted McCasland left key items like his eyeglasses and cellular device, but said he did take a gun and identification.
“When I look at that, his age, and also some of the physical situation he was dealing with, I truly believe he left in this situation not to be found again,” she said.
The Trump administration announced plans earlier this year to begin disclosing U.S. Government information pertaining to extraterrestrial life and UFOs.
When asked if anyone who may have held related classified information could be under any sort of threat, with such information expected to soon be made public, Coffindaffer replied: “I don’t believe so at all.”
She added: “No one took him—I do not believe based on the facts and circumstances,” reiterating that in her opinion, McCasland left of his own volition.
What People Are Saying
Susan McCasland Wilkerson, McCasland’s wife, wrote on Facebook shortly after his disappearance: “It is true that when Neil was in the Air Force, he had access to some highly classified programs and information. He retired from the AF almost 13 years ago and has had only very commonly held clearances since. It seems quite unlikely that he was taken to extract very dated secrets from him.
“It is true that Neil had a brief association with the UFO community through Tom DeLonge, former frontman for Blink-182 and founder of the organization To The Stars. Neil worked with Tom for a bit shortly after his Air Force retirement as an unpaid (Neil’s choice) consultant on military and technical/scientific matters to lend verisimilitude to Tom’s fiction book and media activities. After the Russians hacked John Podesta’s emails (see Neil’s Wikipedia page), there was less contact with Tom and the community pushing for release of UFO information. This connection is not a reason for someone to abduct Neil. Neil does not have any special knowledge about the ET bodies and debris from the Roswell crash stored at Wright-Patt.”
What Happens Next
BCSO told Newsweek on Wednesday that there had been no new developments in the case and that it remained a top priority for the office.
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