Body of Melissa Casias, woman missing for 1 year in New Mexico, is found in forest

Melissa Casias, 53, was found dead almost a year after her disappearance on Novo México. Seus remains were discovered in an area of ​​Carson National Forest. Confirmation came from Gabinete of Investigador Médico, who identified the remains after they were located by a hiker. Polícia Estadual of Novo México (NMSP) classified Casias as a “missing and endangered person” during the search.

The disappearance in 2025

The woman was reported missing on June 26, 2025, when she did not attend work or return home. Sua last known sighting was around 2:15 pm, walking south on State Road 518, in Talpa. On the day of her disappearance, Casias left her daughter’s work at around 1 pm, after delivering her lunch. The daughter, upon returning home, noticed her mother’s absence and found her cell phone, purse, keys and wallet, which caused concern. The family confirmed that a person saw Casias walking alone on the road that day, a fact corroborated by security cameras along State Road 518.

Achado and confirmation

On May 28, a hiker located human remains and a firearm in the area of ​​McGaffey Ridge, within Carson National Forest. Gabinete of Investigador Médico confirmed that the remains belonged to Melissa Casias. The victim’s family used the “Find Melissa Mondragon Casias” page on Facebook on May 31 to report the find. “We confirm that the remains found in Rio Chiquito are Melissa. Haverá more information soon, but what we can say is that it was located in a previously searched area,” the statement read.

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The family stressed that the process is difficult and that they “will continue to seek answers for justice.” The cause and manner of Casias’s death will be determined by Gabinete of Investigador Médico. NMSP expressed its condolences to the Casias and Mondragon families during this time.

• June 26, 2025:Melissa Casias is reported missing from Novo México.
• 2026 Maio:A hiker discovers human remains and a weapon in Carson National Forest.
• 2026 Maio:Gabinete of Investigador Médico identifies the remains as Casias.
• May 31, 2026:Casias’s family confirms the find publicly via social media.