Disappearances and deaths raise alarms in US scientific circles

A series of suspicious deaths and disappearances involving high-level scientists across the United States in recent years is drawing increasing attention, including from online investigators and officials in Washington.

According to an investigation by Fox News, since 2023, at least eight individuals—many of them involved in research related to space and nuclear science—have either died or gone missing, in some cases under unclear circumstances. Some of those individuals were also linked to research connected with unidentified flying objects.

The issue has reached the White House. When asked on Wednesday by Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy about the pattern, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Trump administration would likely examine the matter.

"I haven’t spoken to our relevant agencies about it. I will certainly do that, and we’ll get you an answer," Leavitt said. "If true, of course, that’s definitely something I think this government and its administration would deem worth looking into. So let me do that for you."

The most recent case involves the disappearance of former US Air Force Major General William Neil McCasland, who went missing in New Mexico on February 27, 2026. Police reported that his phone, glasses, and other personal belongings were left at home, while his hiking boots, wallet, and a .38 caliber revolver were missing.

According to Fox, McCasland previously led the Air Force Research Laboratory, had ties to Los Alamos National Laboratory, and held access to classified information. However, no evidence has been presented so far to suggest that his disappearance is connected to his professional activities.

Other cases cited include the death of NASA employee Michael Hicks, who worked on research involving comets and asteroids. Hicks died on July 30, 2023, at the age of 59, and the cause of his death has not been officially disclosed.

In addition, 53-year-old Milissa Casias, an employee of Los Alamos National Laboratory involved in nuclear weapons development, has been reported missing since June 26, 2023.

By Tamilla Hasanova