Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyle(Town of Taos)Human remains found last week in New Mexico's Carson National Forest have been identified as Melissa Casias, a Los Alamos National Laboratory employee missing since June of last year. Casias was reported missing on June 26 after dropping her husband off at work and was last seen walking along State Road 518. A handgun was discovered alongside her remains in the McGaffrey Ridge area. The New Mexico Medical Investigator’s Office is tasked with determining the cause and manner of death. Authorities had not ruled out foul play, but also considered the possibility that Casias, who her husband said was under immense stress, disappeared by choice. In fullHuman remains found by hiker in New Mexico is woman who went missing nearly a year agoThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in