Remains found at national forest identified as missing scientist

Police have identified human remains discovered in Carson National Forest as those of Melissa Casias, a Los Alamos National Laboratory employee who had been missing for almost a year, and the investigation into her death remains open.

Remains found at a national forest in New Mexico were identified as a scientist who has been missingfor nearly a year, according to authorities.

The remains were found in the Carson National Forest, near Taos, New Mexico, about 130 miles northeast of Albuquerque, according to the New Mexico State Police. They were later identified as scientist Melissa Casias, who was reported missing on June 26, 2025, after she did not arrive at work or return home following a visit to her daughter at work.

Casias' remains were discovered by a hiker on Thursday, May 28, according to police.

Here's what to know.

Who was Melissa Casias?

Casias was an administrative assistant at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico, according to USA TODAY's previous reporting.

"The Lab community’s thoughts are with Melissa Casias’ family," Steven Horak, a spokesperson for the lab, told USA TODAY in an email.

Where were Casias' remains discovered?

Casias' remains were discovered at the McGaffey Ridge area of the Carson National Forest, according to authorities.

The area is located around 6 miles from Casias' house, according to NBC News. The area can be reached by a state highway, where she was spotted walking on the day she was reported missing.

What is Melissa Casias' cause of death?

Investigators found a handgun alongside Casias' remains, according to the police. However, the cause of death has not been made public, and an investigation is ongoing.

USA TODAY has contacted the New Mexico State Police.

Casias among list of missing scientists

Casias is not the only scientist who has gone missing or been found dead.

USA TODAY previously reported on nine other cases that have captured the attention of the White House, members of Congress and other federal agencies who are looking to see if the cases are connected.

Included on the list are Carl Grillmair, a CalTech astrophysicist, who was shot and killed on his front porch, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory engineer Monica Jacinto Reza, who like Casias, also disappeared in June 2025, and retired Maj. Gen. William "Neil" McCasland, who was last seen at his home on Feb. 27.