Family of Los Alamos Lab Worker Found Dead Rejects Suicide Theory

The family of Melissa Casias, a 54-year-old worker at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, has rejected the idea that she died by suicide after her body was found near a handgun on June 4, 2026. Casias was reported missing on June 26, 2025, and her remains were discovered in the McGaffey Ridge area of Carson National Forest by a hiker. New Mexico State Police have not yet released an official cause of death. Relatives have expressed concerns about the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and death, suggesting that foul play may be involved. A private investigator working with the family noted that the area had been previously searched and questioned how a body could remain undisturbed for an extended period. Casias had left behind personal belongings, including her purse and multiple cellphones, and was known to carry a pistol. The Los Alamos National Laboratory, established in 1943, employs approximately 14,000 people and is located about 35 miles northwest of Santa Fe, New Mexico.