Nick Shakra

[Lauren Conlin @conlin_lauren]

BREAKING: This is the last known and verified image of retired Air Force Major General Neil McCasland, captured the day before he vanished (photo taken Thursday, February 26, 2026).

The Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office provided me with this photo after part of my FOIA request was finally fulfilled.

According to the image label, it was taken from an "Entry Main (door jamb cam)" surveillance camera at what appears to be the REI store in Santa Fe, which is the nearest REI location to McCasland's Quail Run neighborhood, approximately 6 to 8 miles away. REI is an outdoor/sporting goods store. In the photo, McCasland appears calm and composed. He's carrying a large white parcel tucked under his arm, along with a smaller boxed item and a yellow slip of paper. Unfortunately, the image contains no usable metadata, and the resolution isn't strong enough to determine exactly what the items were or what any of the packaging says. He is also wearing his apple watch.

One detail that stands out: McCasland doesn't appear to be carrying a traditional REI shopping bag. However, REI does allow customers to place orders online and pick them up in-store, leaving open the possibility that what he's carrying may have been retrieved rather than purchased during that visit....I'm currently going through all of the documents and will have updates here and @lamag...

[Lauren Conlin @conlin_lauren]

Full story📝The Future of New York City Journalism?…’Mangione advocates were reportedly able to gain official press passes through TikTok videos about jury nullification and notes on their “courtroom observations” of Mangione.’ @LAmag https://t.co/DLYHk3kEUj

[Jesse Weber Live @JesseWeberLive]

MISSING MINDS MYSTERY: 9 scientists tied to some of America's most sensitive tech have died or gone missing since 2023. The disappearance of Air Force Gen. William Neil McCasland has drawn attention to their cases. LA Magazine contributor Lauren Conlin joins Jesse to discuss.

[MK True Crime @mktruecrime]

“He must have planned not to be found…”

Breaking down the 911 call in missing Air Force General with @aronberg, @PhilHollowayEsq, and @conlin_lauren

Watch below, and subscribe: https://t.co/2SyJoAVEvU

[MK True Crime @mktruecrime]

“This is going to trial…”

Blake Lively’s claims are AXED by judge in legal loss...will this still proceed to trial? @aronberg, @PhilHollowayEsq, and @conlin_lauren discuss.

Watch and download: https://t.co/K6n8wrY0uK

[Lauren Conlin @conlin_lauren]

I am getting a bit concerned about the Celeste Rivas Hernandez case. Neo was clearly an important witness for the DA’s office if they had him extradited and arrested…all to testify for 30-40 minutes? By all accounts, he was one of the closest people to D4vd, and most likely, he knows a lot. Justice for Celeste. 💔

[Lauren Conlin @conlin_lauren]

What’s the deal with D4vd at these high schools? Everything should be examined further when a 14-year-old girl is found decomposing in your car. Justice for Celeste. @LAmag

[Lauren Conlin @conlin_lauren]

GETTIN’ JIGGY… WITH A LAWSUIT⁉️ Violinist Sues Will Smith, Alleging Retaliation After Reporting Sexually-Charged Hotel Room Intrusion on Tour

A violinist from “America’s Got Talent” alleges he was fired after reporting what he believed was a threatening and sexually charged intrusion into his hotel room while on tour with Will Smith in Las Vegas.

The violinist alleged that he and Smith began spending time alone, and Smith told him, “You and I have such a special connection that I don’t have with anyone else.” Read the full story via @LAmag ⬇️

https://t.co/PSn2OUwC52

[Los Angeles Magazine @LAmag]

.@LAmag's @conlin_lauren speaks to Fox News about some of the biggest pop culture moments in 2025

[America's Newsroom @AmericaNewsroom]

2025 IN REVIEW: @conlin_lauren takes us through this year’s major pop culture moments – including Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement.

[Los Angeles Magazine @LAmag]

Los Angeles Magazine's @conlin_lauren joins Fox News to discuss the details surrounding Nick Reiner's newly revealed mental health history amid the double murder of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner.

[Lauren Conlin @conlin_lauren]

INFAMOUS🚨 Los Angeles’ Darkest Holiday Killings and Mysterious Deaths, from @LAmag…

https://t.co/HHxJN8jGiy

[Nick Shakra @NickShakra]

@conlin_lauren Great reporting Lauren!

[Nick Shakra @NickShakra]

@conlin_lauren Great job Lauren!

[Los Angeles Magazine @LAmag]

NEW BOMBSHELL: LA Grand Jury Hears Celeste Homicide Case as D4vd’s Santa Barbara Trip Is Confirmed

More from @conlin_lauren ⬇️

https://t.co/g8UysoIfdx

[Los Angeles Magazine @LAmag]

Live update outside the courthouse as @conlin_lauren reports on breaking news in the Luigi Mangione case that the terrorism charges against Mangione have been dropped.

[Lauren Conlin @conlin_lauren]

Actor/Producer André Holland relives the 2016 Oscars moment when La La Land was announced as Best Picture, only to be corrected as Moonlight!
Our full interview is below, where we chat about Holland’s other work and his upcoming film, Love, Brooklyn, in theaters tomorrow, September 5th! I’m a huge fan🙋‍♀️

https://t.co/LN3ZiwnRex

[Lauren Conlin @conlin_lauren]

Why did Austin Drummond leave the baby unharmed during his murder spree? I think for his own twisted prison agenda. @VinniePolitan

[Lauren Conlin @conlin_lauren]

The Gotti Grandsons head back to court tomorrow for a third-degree assault case🚨 Frankie Gotti's attorney, Gerard Marrone, tells me: "We are fighting this case and will accept nothing but a full dismissal. We are not going to be distracted by the complaining witness drama and nonsensical statements he has made to the press."

On June 2, a brawl erupted outside a home on 84th Street in Howard Beach, involving John Gotti Jr., 31, and Frankie Gotti, 27 (grandsons of the late John Gotti) and Gino Gabrielli, their 32-year-old brother-in-law (John Gotti Jr. is married to Gabrielli's sister Eleanor). The fight turned chaotic when Gino’s mother, Cathy, 60, was accidentally struck in the arm while trying to break up the altercation between her son and the Gotti brothers. The family fight started because of a dispute over $3,000 in back rent that Gino claims John owed his grandfather for an apartment. Gino admitted to breaking into John and Eleanor's home to take the cash, though he denies stealing additional items like earrings and a watch, as alleged in a criminal complaint. Video footage apparently caught the brawl where the Gotti's called Gabrielli a rat and a scumbag. Gabrielli told the @nypost that John and Frankie's father Peter stood there watching and didn't break up the fight.

John and Frankie Gotti face charges of third-degree attempted assault and harassment, to which they’ve pleaded not guilty, with their next hearing set for tomorrow in Queens Criminal Court. Gino, meanwhile, is charged with burglary, grand larceny, and criminal possession of stolen property, though details on his case are sparse. Photo Cred of Frankie and John, NY Post.

[Fox News @FoxNews]

BEYOND THE MUSIC: Ozzy Osbourne will be remembered by an entire generation for his status as a reality TV icon, in addition to his incredible music career, pop culture reporter @conlin_lauren says.