Trump orders probe after 10 scientists tied to UFO and nuclear research die or vanish

The deaths and unexplained disappearances of several American scientists linked to sensitive aerospace, nuclear and defence programmes have triggered concern in Washington, prompting US President Donald Trump to order a federal investigation.

At least 10 scientists and researchers connected to classified aerospace, nuclear and defence work have died or gone missing since 2023, with some reports suggesting the number could be higher. Many of them worked at leading institutions including NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Caltech and Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Trump said he had been briefed on the cases earlier this week and described the matter as “pretty serious stuff.” He noted that some of the individuals involved were “very important people” and added that authorities would soon determine whether the incidents were connected. “ I hope it's random, ” Trump said when asked whether he believed the cases might be linked.

The White House confirmed that the FBI and multiple federal agencies are now reviewing the cases together in a comprehensive investigation aimed at identifying any possible common factors. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration is “actively working with all relevant agencies and the FBI to holistically review all of the cases together.” She added that “no stone will be unturned.”

Republican Congressman Eric Burlison , a member of the House Oversight Committee, has called the pattern “too coincidental” and urged a full national-security probe. He suggested the scientists’ work involving classified aerospace programmes and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) , commonly known as UFOs, could potentially make them targets for hostile foreign actors.

Among the earliest cases is Michael David Hicks , a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory physicist who studied comets and asteroids and died on July 30, 2023. Other cases include the 2024 death of JPL scientist Frank Maiwald , and the disappearance of Monica Jacinto Reza , who went missing while hiking in California in June 2025.

Two employees connected to Los Alamos National Laboratory , Anthony Chavez and Melissa Casias , also disappeared in 2025. Steven Garcia , a contractor at the Kansas City National Security Campus, vanished in August that year after leaving his home in Albuquerque.

Two deaths in December 2025 intensified concerns. Nuno Loureiro , director of MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center, was shot dead near Boston, while Jason Thomas , a Novartis researcher, disappeared earlier that month and was later found dead in a Massachusetts lake in March 2026.

In February 2026, Carl Grillmair , a Caltech astrophysicist who collaborated with NASA, was shot dead at his home. Authorities are also examining the disappearance of retired Air Force Maj Gen William Neil McCasland , reportedly linked to advanced aerospace programmes.

Another case drawing attention is Amy Eskridge , a propulsion researcher whose earlier death has resurfaced in discussions about scientists working on experimental propulsion and advanced technologies.

Authorities have not confirmed any link among the incidents, but investigators are examining the timeline and professional connections as part of the ongoing probe.