The White House announced it would examine reports that 10 American scientists and officials linked to sensitive nuclear, aerospace, and space programs have either gone missing or died mysteriously since mid-2023.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the issue during a briefing on April 15. "I haven't spoken to our relevant agencies about it," she said. "I will certainly do that and will get you an answer. If true, of course, that's definitely something I think this government and administration would deem worth looking into."

The cases, first highlighted by independent investigators and amplified on social media, involve experts from institutions like NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the Air Force Research Laboratory. Many disappearances occurred in New Mexico, with individuals leaving homes on foot without phones, wallets, or keys.

Here is a list of the 10 individuals:

  • Michael David Hicks, 59, a NASA JPL researcher on asteroid deflection, died July 30, 2023.
  • Frank Maiwald, 61, a NASA JPL scientist on life-detection tech, died July 4, 2024.
  • Anthony Chavez, 79, a former Los Alamos National Lab employee; missing since May 8, 2025, from New Mexico.
  • Melissa Casias, 54, Los Alamos admin with clearance; missing since June 26, 2025, left belongings behind.
  • Monica Jacinto Reza, 60, NASA JPL materials director; missing since June 22, 2025, while hiking in California.
  • Steven Garcia, 48, contractor at nuclear weapons facility in Albuquerque; missing since August 28, 2025.
  • Nuno Loureiro, a MIT nuclear fusion physicist, was shot at home on December 15, 2025.
  • Jason Thomas, a Novartis researcher, was missing on December 12, 2025, body was found on March 17, 2026, in a lake.
  • Carl Grillmair, Caltech astrophysicist, died February 16, 2026.
  • William Neil McCasland, 68, retired Air Force general overseeing a research lab; missing since February 27, 2026, from Albuquerque.

Authorities have not confirmed links between the cases. Local police investigations treat most as isolated, with no foul play in some deaths. However, Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., raised alarms, noting high numbers in sensitive research areas and criticizing intelligence agencies.

Former FBI official Chris Swecker suggested espionage by foreign adversaries could not be ruled out, given the experts' access to classified nuclear deterrence and space technologies. The pattern has sparked online speculation about national security threats, though federal agencies have not commented publicly.