The search for retired Air Force Maj. The missing William McCasland continues

Authorities searching for Maj. Retired Air Force General William “Neil” McCasland is investigating new developments after hiking boots believed to belong to the missing general were found at his vacation home, officials said Monday.

Investigators say they are still trying to determine if the boots are connected to McCasland’s disappearance, which has been going on for three weeks.

During a news conference Monday, the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office said there has been no confirmed sighting of the 68-year-old aerospace engineer, and the Silver Alert issued for him remains active.

McCasland was last seen leaving her home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on foot around 11 a.m. on February 27, authorities said.

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Investigators noticed that he left behind his phone, glasses and wearables in the house. However, many items are still missing, including his wallet, revolver and gun holster. Investigators also said on Monday that the red bag was not identified.

That morning, McCasland was seen talking to a maintenance worker at his home around 9 to 10 a.m., according to authorities.

The coroner described McCasland as “mentally foggy,” but investigators said there was no indication he was confused or delirious, describing him as “highly intelligent, highly skilled.”

“Out of an abundance of caution, we have escalated the investigation to a Silver Alert based on the information that was provided to us in advance,” said a Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office official.

COMMON RETIREMENT AIR DISAPPEARS IN A 1-HOUR WINDOW FROM HOME, GUN AND WALLET.

Authorities have issued a Silver Alert for Ret. Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland. (Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office)

Authorities say McCasland disappeared about an hour after his wife left the house for a short time.

Search teams also found a US Air Force shirt more than a mile from McCasland’s home, although investigators have not yet confirmed whether the item belonged to him.

McCasland is described as 5 feet, 11 inches tall with white hair and blue eyes and was last seen wearing a blue, button-up shirt with two chest pockets.

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Officials believe he left his home on foot.

The retired general is known as an outdoorsman who often hikes, runs and bikes in Albuquerque’s Northeast Heights and the nearby Sandia Foothills, where searchers are focusing some of their efforts.

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McCasland previously commanded Kirtland Air Force Base’s Phillips Research Site and the Air Force Research Laboratory. (Kirtland Air Force Base)

Authorities said they have received numerous tips and are urging residents to check home security video taken between Feb. 27 and Feb. 28, which investigators say is a critical window in the search.

The FBI joined the search effort on March 3, assisting local authorities as the investigation continues.

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Investigators said they have not found evidence of foul play, although officials stressed that no circumstances have been ruled out.

McCasland’s wife, Susan McCasland Wilkerson, also pushed back against speculation linking his disappearance to his past military service.

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“It’s true that when Neil was in the Air Force, he had access to the best programs and information,” he wrote in a Facebook post. “He retired from the AF about 13 years ago and has had a very common clearance ever since.”

Before retiring in 2013, McCasland commanded the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio and holds a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

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Despite online speculation, his wife said she has no special knowledge about aliens or the Roswell incident.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about McCasland’s whereabouts to text BCSO at 847411 or contact the sheriff’s Missing Persons Unit at 505-468-7070.