Remains of Los Alamos National Laboratory employee missing for nearly a year found in New Mexico forest

Human remains discovered by a hiker in a northern New Mexico national forest last week have been identified as Melissa Casias, a Los Alamos National Laboratory employee who disappeared nearly a year ago, authorities said.

The remains were found May 28, nearly 11 months after she disappeared, in the McGaffey Ridge area of Carson National Forest — nearly 15 miles from her home in Taos. A handgun was found alongside the remains, the New Mexico State Police said in a news release.

The state Office of the Medical Investigator positively identified Casias, but the cause and