Missing lab worker found dead in New Mexico nearly a year after disappearing

The remains of Melissa Casias, an administrative assistant at Los Alamos National Laboratory who vanished nearly a year ago, have been identified after being discovered by a hiker in Carson National Forest along with a handgun. Her disappearance had become entangled in unfounded conspiracy theories suggesting connections between deaths and disappearances of approximately ten individuals linked to scientific research facilities. While these speculations prompted investigations by the House Oversight Committee and FBI, and even drew comments from President Trump, family members of the deceased have repeatedly debunked such theories by providing factual explanations for their loved ones' deaths.