A family in Taos is searching for answers after their loved one, Melissa Casias, disappeared in late June near Taos.June 26 is the last day Casias was seen or heard from. Jazmin McMillen and Trudy Najera, Casias’ niece and sister, said that morning, Casias dropped off her husband at Los Alamos National Labs, where they both worked. New Mexico State Police said she went back home. Casias’ daughter told investigators her mom said she may stay home and run errands. “At some point, she took a break and picked up Subway and dropped it off for her daughter, my cousin Sierra, at the coffee shop where she works, in the Taos Plaza area,” said McMillen.Video from John Dunn Shops was shared with investigators, one of the last places she is seen. NMSP said the last place someone saw her was in the afternoon, walking along State Road 518 in Talpa near Ranchos de Taos. “My cousin got home from work and found all of Melissa’s belongings at home. Her purse, her phones, her car, her keys, everything was at home. Her phones were factory reset,” said McMillen.Since her disappearance, investigators said there have been three searches with the help of state, local and federal resources. State Police said they have not ruled out foul play.”This is not like her. All of her friends keep telling us this is not like her. First of all, she wouldn’t leave her daughter. She loves, adores her daughter. She would not leave her,” said Najera. The family adds that Casias was planning to care for her mom for an upcoming surgery. The two don’t believe the idea that she just left. “Because we don’t have answers, we can’t draw any conclusions one way or the other,” said McMillen. “No matter what, we need to find answers. We don’t want to stop looking. I think regardless of what the situation is, if she left on her own or if there’s foul play involved, we just want to find her.”The family said crime stoppers is offering a $2,500 reward, as well as $5,000 from the family for information leading to her return. NMSP said reports about this case have been made to the Albuquerque FBI Office. The department responded whether they believe Casias left on her own accord, saying, “From the facts we have gathered, it appears this may be the case.” NMSP also said no one has been cleared of wrongdoing at this point.Casias was last seen wearing jeans, white and pink tennis shoes and a turquoise or white shirt according to the family.Anyone with tips or information is asked to contact state police at 505-425-6771.
A family in Taos is searching for answers after their loved one, Melissa Casias, disappeared in late June near Taos.
June 26 is the last day Casias was seen or heard from. Jazmin McMillen and Trudy Najera, Casias’ niece and sister, said that morning, Casias dropped off her husband at Los Alamos National Labs, where they both worked. New Mexico State Police said she went back home. Casias’ daughter told investigators her mom said she may stay home and run errands.
“At some point, she took a break and picked up Subway and dropped it off for her daughter, my cousin Sierra, at the coffee shop where she works, in the Taos Plaza area,” said McMillen.
Video from John Dunn Shops was shared with investigators, one of the last places she is seen. NMSP said the last place someone saw her was in the afternoon, walking along State Road 518 in Talpa near Ranchos de Taos.
“My cousin got home from work and found all of Melissa’s belongings at home. Her purse, her phones, her car, her keys, everything was at home. Her phones were factory reset,” said McMillen.
Since her disappearance, investigators said there have been three searches with the help of state, local and federal resources. State Police said they have not ruled out foul play.
“This is not like her. All of her friends keep telling us this is not like her. First of all, she wouldn’t leave her daughter. She loves, adores her daughter. She would not leave her,” said Najera.
The family adds that Casias was planning to care for her mom for an upcoming surgery. The two don’t believe the idea that she just left.
“Because we don’t have answers, we can’t draw any conclusions one way or the other,” said McMillen. “No matter what, we need to find answers. We don’t want to stop looking. I think regardless of what the situation is, if she left on her own or if there’s foul play involved, we just want to find her.”
The family said crime stoppers is offering a $2,500 reward, as well as $5,000 from the family for information leading to her return. NMSP said reports about this case have been made to the Albuquerque FBI Office.
The department responded whether they believe Casias left on her own accord, saying, “From the facts we have gathered, it appears this may be the case.” NMSP also said no one has been cleared of wrongdoing at this point.
Casias was last seen wearing jeans, white and pink tennis shoes and a turquoise or white shirt according to the family.
Anyone with tips or information is asked to contact state police at 505-425-6771.
