A series of puzzling deaths and disappearances involving prominent scientists in the U.S. has escalated, grabbing the attention of internet investigators and sparking interest up to the White House level. Since 2023, at least eight individuals, primarily from the fields of space and nuclear science, have either died or vanished under mysterious circumstances, with some connections to UFO studies.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, White House press secretary Caroline Levitt acknowledged the situation when asked about it by Fox News’ Peter Doocy. She stated that the Trump administration is likely to look into the matter, expressing a commitment to finding answers. “I haven’t spoken to the authorities yet, but I will. We will get to the bottom of this,” Levitt mentioned, adding that if the reports are accurate, it could be significant for the administration to consider.
1) Michael David Hicks
Passed away: July 30, 2023
Age: 59
Cause of death: undisclosed
Michael Hicks was a scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory from 1998 until 2022. He contributed to the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) project, which sought to explore the physical properties of asteroids and investigate their potential for changing trajectory in space.
2) Frank Maiwald
Passed away: July 4, 2024
Age: 61
Cause of death: undisclosed
Also from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Maiwald designed crucial instruments for the Surface Biology and Geology mission, a future NASA project aimed at sending satellites into space to closely examine Earth’s biological diversity. A year before his passing, he was engaged in a project that would assist astronauts in identifying life signs on other celestial bodies, such as Europa and Ceres.
3) Monica Reza
Missing: June 22, 2025
Age: 60
Status: unknown
Monica Reza disappeared while hiking on Mount Waterman in California’s Angeles National Forest. Her safety is a concern for authorities, who have sought tips regarding her whereabouts. Reza was known for her work as an aerospace engineer at NASA, where she managed the materials processing group focused on innovative manufacturing technologies for spacecraft.
4) Melissa Cassius
Missing: June 26, 2025
Age: 53
Status: unknown
Cassius, an administrative assistant at Los Alamos National Laboratory, was involved in developing nuclear weapons for the Manhattan Project. She was last seen delivering lunch to her daughter before she vanished.
5) Anthony Chavez
Unknown: May 8, 2025
Age: 79
Status: unknown
Chavez, who served at Los Alamos National Laboratory until his retirement in 2017, was last spotted leaving his home on foot, abandoning his vehicle and personal belongings. He did not take his phone or wallet.
6) Steven Garcia
Missing: August 28, 2025
Age: 48
Status: unknown
Garcia disappeared from his Albuquerque home, leaving with only a handgun. He was affiliated with the Kansas City National Security Campus, where crucial non-nuclear components for nuclear weapons are developed. He had top-secret security clearance.
7) Carl Grillmare
Passed away: February 16, 2026
Age: 47
Manner of death: homicide
Grillmare, a notable research scientist at Caltech’s Infrared Processing and Analysis Center, was actively involved in NASA’s space telescope project before his tragic death, which was ruled a homicide. A suspect has been charged in connection to his death.
8) Air Force Gen. William Neil McCasland (retired)
Missing: February 27, 2026
Age: 68
Status: unknown
A former director of the Air Force Research Laboratory, McCasland has been missing since he left home with only part of his boots and a handgun. He had access to highly classified information regarding UFOs.
