A mysterious string of deaths and disappearances involving prominent scientists in the United States has been unfolding over recent years, drawing widespread attention from both online investigators and even reaching the upper echelons of government.
Since 2023, at least eight individuals, primarily specializing in space and nuclear sciences, have either been found dead or have gone missing under unclear circumstances. Notably, some of these individuals were associated with UFO research, adding an intriguing layer to the unfolding mystery.
When questioned by Fox News’ Peter Doocy about this concerning pattern, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated that the Trump administration might begin an investigation into the issue.
“I haven’t yet discussed this with our relevant agencies, but I will certainly do so and provide you with an answer,” Leavitt stated. “If these reports are accurate, it is undoubtedly a matter that this government and its administration would consider investigating. I will follow up on this for you.”
1) Michael David Hicks
Death: July 30, 2023
Age: 59
Cause of Death: Not released
Among those involved is Hicks, a former scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he was employed from 1998 to 2022. According to the Daily Mail, Hicks contributed to the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) project, which aimed to study the physical characteristics of asteroids and comets and explore the feasibility of altering their trajectories in space.
2) Frank Maiwald
Death: July 4, 2024
Age: 61
Cause of Death: Not released
Another notable figure, Maiwald, also worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he developed an essential instrument for the Surface Biology and Geology (SBG) project. This initiative, known as the Visible to Shortwave Infrared (VSWIR), is part of a future NASA mission designed to launch a satellite that will map Earth’s “living color” with unprecedented detail beyond human visual capacity, as noted in his obituary.
Just over a year before he died, he was working on a program to help astronauts on space missions identify signs of life on other planets, including Jupiter’s moon, Europa, Saturn’s moon, Enceladus, or the dwarf planet Ceres, the Daily Mail reported.
Tanicia Miller captured the pill-shaped object, later identified as a rocket launch, on Aug. 12, 2025. (Tanicia Miller/Facebook)
3) Monica Reza
Missing: June 22, 2025
Age: 60
Status: Unknown
Monica Reza went missing while hiking in Mount Waterman in the Angeles National Forest in California. A missing person’s flyer from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office said there was concern for Reza’s well-being, and asked tipsters to call 818-248-3464.
Reza also worked for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory as an aerospace engineer, reportedly overseeing the lab’s Materials Processing Group, which “focuses on developing new materials and advanced manufacturing technologies for spacecraft, specializing in bulk metallic glass alloys and metal additive manufacturing,” according to NASA.
A UFO is seen in the sky. (Obtained)
4) Melissa Casias
Missing: June 26, 2025
Age: 53
Status: Unknown
Casias worked as an administrative assistant at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, which reportedly developed nuclear weapons for the Manhattan Project.
On the day she disappeared, she dropped off lunch for her daughter and was never seen again.
5) Anthony Chavez
Missing: May 8, 2025
Age: 79
Status: Unknown
Chavez also worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory until he retired in 2017, according to the Daily Mail. He was last seen leaving his house in Los Alamos on foot, with his car locked in his driveway. He did not bring his phone, wallet or keys on his walk.
Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard told a New York Post podcaster that she believes aliens could possibly be real. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)
6) Steven Garcia
Missing: Aug. 28, 2025
Age: 48
Status: Unknown
Garcia went missing in Albuquerque after leaving his home on foot carrying only a handgun, according to NewsNation. He worked at the Kansas City National Security Campus, which develops most of the nonnuclear components that go into building nuclear weapons.
He had a top secret security clearance.
7) Carl Grillmair
Death: Feb. 16, 2026
Age: 47
Manner of Death: Homicide
Grillmair was a renowned research scientist at Caltech’s Infrared Processing and Analysis Center, which partners with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory providing “science operations, user support, archives and data services, and scientific vision to maximize discovery with observatories both in space and on the ground.”
The Daily Mail reported that he was personally involved in space telescope projects with NASA.
He was shot and killed outside his home. A man named Freddy Snyder, 29, was charged with his murder.
A split image showing missing retired Air Force Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland in the green, button-up shirt he was last seen wearing and in his military uniform. (Obtained)
8) Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland
Missing: Feb. 27, 2026
Age: 68
Status: Unknown
McCasland was the former commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory, and had connections with the Los Alamos National Laboratory, like Casias and Garcia. He reportedly possessed top secret information on UFOs.
He, too, disappeared in New Mexico. He left his home with only a part of boots and a handgun, leaving his phone, keys and glasses, the Daily Mail reported.
