Remains found in Carson National Forest earlier this week have been identified as Melissa Casias.
53 year old Casias was last seen in Taos, New Mexico on June 26, 2025. She was last seen walking alone, headed south along Highway 518 around 2:15 pm.
On May 28, 2026, a hiker found human remains and a handgun in the McGaffey Ridge area of Carson National Forest. They were positively identified as Casias by the Office of the Medical Investigator.
The cause and manner of death have not yet been determined. The remains will undergo further anthropological examination by OMI.
The Disappearance of Melissa Casias
Melissa works at Los Alamos National Laboratory as an administrative assistant. Her husband, Mark Casias, also works at the lab.
She is an avid hunter and archer who has won multiple competitions, and lives in Ranchos de Taos.
Disappearance
At 6:15 am on June 26, 2025, Melissa Casias dropped her husband off at work at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Melissa also works at the lab, but returned home to Taos to work remotely since she had forgotten her employee badge.
According to her niece, Melissa stopped at the post office, then dropped off lunch for her daughter, Sierra, at a cafe in Taos.
When Sierra returned home from work she found her mother gone. Her vehicle was at the house, as well as her wallet, phone and ID, but there were no signs of Melissa.
Her husband reported her missing around 5:00 pm.
Investigation
The last known footage of Melissa was around 1:00 pm on June 26, 2025. The footage shows her leaving the John Dunn Shops in downtown Taos, then entering her car and driving away.
At 2:15 pm on June 26, 2025, a witness saw Melissa walking alone, headed south on Highway 518 in Talpa. Her family later confirmed it was her by viewing doorbell camera footage.
Melissa’s family has set up a facebook page to help in their efforts to find her. They are offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to her return.
According to a private investigator hired by Melissa’s family, a pair of shoes matching those she was last seen wearing were recovered in New Mexico’s Carson National Forest. DNA analysis on the shoes is pending.
On May 28, 2026, human remains were found near Rio Chiquito Road, close to New Mexico 518 where Melissa was last seen. The remains have been sent to the Medical Examiner for identification and cause/manner of death.
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