The number of deaths and disappearances of US scientists has now reached 12. Understand why.
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An unusual sequence of deaths and disappearances involving scientists, engineers and researchers our United States This began to attract the attention of authorities, politicians, and the scientific community itself. The cases, recorded mainly from 2022 onwards, involve highly qualified professionals working in strategic areas—such as nuclear energy, defense and space exploration — and have been grouped together in requests for clarification made by US lawmakers to agencies such as the FBI, NASA, and the Department of Energy. To date, however, there is no public evidence that the episodes are connected to each other.
According to reports published in various international media outlets., The count varies between sources because some surveys only consider scientists directly linked to sensitive laboratories and programs, while others also include engineers, retired military personnel, and contractors.The circumstances range from homicides and accidents to disappearances that remain unexplained by the public. The common thread among them is not necessarily how they occurred, but the type of work performed, often linked to sensitive technologies or of national interest. Below, understand what is known, what is still under investigation, and why the case has begun to generate speculation.
What is known about the deaths and disappearances?
Increased attention to the issue arose when US lawmakers began questioning whether the cases might represent something more than isolated incidents. Following this, requests for clarification were sent to agencies such as... FBI (the US federal police), the NASA and Department of Energy, with the aim of assessing whether there is any pattern or connection between the occurrences.
The objective of the investigation is relatively straightforward, but delicate: to understand if there is a risk to national security. This includes verifying if the scientists were involved in strategic projects that could make them targets of espionage, sabotage, or other threats. At the same time, the authorities are also working with the simpler hypothesis—that the cases are unrelated and reflect only individual circumstances.
So far, there is no confirmation of a concrete link between the incidents. Even so, the mere fact that it involves professionals from critical areas was enough to raise the level of alert within the government. One of the most complex aspects of the case is precisely the diversity of circumstances surrounding the deaths and disappearances.
There are records of scientists being murdered, including cases involving the use of... fire gunIn other cases, the cause of death was not publicly disclosed, contributing to the climate of uncertainty. There are also cases of disappearances without clear clues, some of which occurred in regions near research facilities or military bases.
In at least one instance, a researcher disappeared and was found dead months later, raising further questions about what might have happened. In other cases, investigations point to more conventional hypotheses, such as isolated crimes or personal circumstances. This variety of scenarios is one of the main obstacles for those trying to establish a single narrative. While the collection of cases is striking, the individual details do not necessarily point to the same type of case.
Scientists, engineers, and researchers cited in the case
Michael David Hicks
Researcher of Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), connected to NASA, Michael hicks He dedicated his career to the study of asteroids and comets. His work helped to understand the composition and behavior of these celestial bodies, with both scientific and practical applications — including monitoring objects that are potentially dangerous to Earth.
Hicks died in July 2023, but the absence of a disclosed cause of death has drawn attention. In a highly controlled and documented environment like NASA's, this unusual silence has fueled questions, especially after other cases began to emerge.
Frank Maiwald
Also linked to JPL, Frank Maiwald He was an engineer focused on systems and materials used in space missions. His work involved developing technologies that need to operate in extreme conditions, such as the vacuum of space and abrupt temperature variations.
Maiwald died in July 2024, and, as with Hicks' case, few details were publicly released. The temporal and institutional proximity between the two cases contributed to increased attention being paid to the laboratory and its researchers.
Monica Reza
Specialist in materials science, Monica Reza He led research on advanced metal alloys used in rocket engines. His work in JPL This placed her directly at the center of the development of technologies critical to modern space missions.
She disappeared in 2025 while hiking in California. Despite extensive searches, she was never found. The contrast between her highly technical routine and the seemingly casual context of her disappearance raises unanswered questions.
Carl Grillmair
Astrophysicist associated with Caltech and collaborator of NASA, Carl Grillmair He was known for his research on the structure of the Milky Way and the identification of stellar streams — remnants of ancient galaxies absorbed by our own.
In 2026, Grillmair was shot and killed at his doorstep. A suspect was arrested, but no known connection was made to the scientist. This reinforces the possibility of an isolated crime, although the overall context keeps the episode within a broader framework of concern.
Melissa Casias
Employee of Los Alamos National Laboratory, Melissa Casias He worked in one of the most sensitive centers in the United States, historically linked to nuclear development. Although details of his role are not public, his position indicated involvement with strategic projects.
Casias disappeared in 2025 after leaving for a routine activity. The fact that someone with this profile could vanish without a trace—especially in a region associated with critical facilities—raised the case to a level of national attention.
Anthony Chavez
Also connected to Los Alamos Laboratory, Anthony Chavez He had a long track record in technical projects related to nuclear research. His experience placed him among professionals with knowledge accumulated over decades.
He disappeared in 2025 after leaving home without explanation. As with Casias' case, the complete absence of clues contributes to the enigmatic nature of the episode.
Steven Garcia
Contractor associated with nuclear facilities, Steven Garcia He worked in technical support in highly controlled environments. Even without the same level of academic exposure as other names on the list, his work placed him within the US nuclear infrastructure chain.
Garcia disappeared in New Mexico in 2025. The lack of detailed information about the case makes any conclusion difficult, but the geographical context—near sensitive research centers—keeps the episode under scrutiny.
Nuno Loureiro
Physicist of MIT and director of a research center on plasma and nuclear fusion, Nuno Loureiro He was an international reference in one of the most promising fields of energy science. Nuclear fusion is often seen as a possible solution for the future of clean energy.
In December 2025, Loureiro was shot and killed. The death of a scientist of that caliber, in an area considered globally strategic, quickly gained widespread attention and intensified discussions about possible motivations beyond a common crime.
Jason Thomas
Working in the field of chemical biology, Jason Thomas He worked in research with potential pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. His field of work, although different from the others, also involves sensitive technology and potentially significant economic impact.
He disappeared in 2025 and was found dead months later, in 2026. The circumstances of the case remain unclear, contributing to a series of episodes still without a definitive explanation.
Amy Eskridge
Independent researcher, Amy Eskridge She was dedicated to experimental concepts of advanced propulsion. Although some of her work was considered speculative, it circulated in communities interested in disruptive innovation in the aerospace sector.
Eskridge died in 2022 in a case officially treated as a suicide. According to a friend quoted by the international press, she said she feared being threatened and stated that her death should not be automatically treated as a suicide. Officially, however, the case was registered as a suicide. Even so, her inclusion on the list reflects public interest in any possible link to technologies outside the conventional norm.
William Neil McCasland
Retired general US Air Force, McCasland He played a significant role in military aerospace research programs. Throughout his career, he was involved in advanced and possibly classified projects.
He disappeared in 2026 in New Mexico. Given his history and level of access to strategic information, the case quickly caught the attention of authorities.
Joshua LeBlanc
Nuclear engineer associated with projects of NASA, Joshua LeBlanc He worked with advanced propulsion technologies, including nuclear applications for space exploration.
He was found dead in 2025 inside a burned-out car. The case was treated as an accident, but details that came to light later raised questions about the exact circumstances of what happened.
James “Tony” Moffatt
US Army veteran and aerospace engineer, James “Tony” Moffatt worked with the military sector and with the NASA, participating in missions related to the International Space Station and also working in University of Alabama in HuntsvilleHis career combined operational experience and research in strategic areas of aviation and space.
Moffatt died in April 2026 in the crash of a single-engine plane in Carolina do Sul, along with family members. The case is being treated as an accident under investigation, but it ended up being included in the list of scientists linked to the aerospace sector who died in circumstances that have recently drawn attention.
Andrew Moffatt
Research engineer at University of Alabama in Huntsville, Andrew Moffatt He worked with aerospace systems and simulation, including studies related to propulsion and advanced flight technologies. He represented a new generation of researchers involved in aeronautical development.
Andrew died in the same plane crash in April 2026. Although the episode is officially considered an accident, its inclusion among recent cases reinforces the debate about the concentration of deaths involving professionals in sensitive fields.
How did these theories emerge and why did they gain so much traction?
Theories involving the deaths and disappearances of scientists in the United States began to gain traction following one specific case: the disappearance of William Neil McCasland, in February 2026. Former commander of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base — frequently associated with theories about UFOs and Roswell case - McCasland He disappeared after traveling to a mountainous region carrying only a weapon and leaving behind basic items such as a cell phone and wallet.
The episode quickly moved beyond the police investigation and into the internet's collective imagination. Part of this is due to the YouTuber's actions. Daniel Liszt, which connected the case to other recent deaths of scientists, suggesting the existence of a hidden pattern. From there, the narrative of a possible "cover-up" involving secret projects (including theories with extraterrestrial elements) spread, often ignoring essential information about the cases themselves.
However, at the same time, this type of content highlights a frequent problem in these debates: cases with completely different contexts end up being grouped together simply because they involve scientists or engineers from the aerospace sector.
The role of government and the pressure for answers.
Given the repercussions, the United States government It began to treat the subject with more caution. Parliamentarians requested formal clarifications from various agencies, including its own. NASA, Department of Energy e national security agenciesThe concern goes beyond mere public curiosity. When professionals with access to sensitive technologies are involved in unusual cases, the potential impact extends to areas such as defense, technological competitiveness, and international security.
Therefore, even without evidence of a coordinated threat, the case is being treated as one. strategic issueCongress wants to understand if there are any structural risks—either internal or external—that need to be addressed. However, a major question remains: is there a pattern to all of this, or are these episodes merely a strange coincidence?
On the one hand, there are elements that naturally raise suspicions: the number of cases in a relatively short period, technical profile of the victims and connection with sectors considered criticalThese factors, combined, create the impression that there may be something beyond coincidence. On the other hand, experts warn that the analysis needs to be done very carefully. The cases occurred in different states, involved distinct circumstances, and in many episodes, plausible explanations already exist. This weakens the idea of a consistent pattern or a coordinated operation.
In other words, what appears to be a "set" may, in practice, be merely a sum of independent cases. As expected, the topic quickly went beyond the realm of official investigations and gained traction on social media. From there, various [cases] emerged. conspiracy theories trying to connect the cases.
Among the most recurring hypotheses are international espionage, disputes over advanced technology and even deliberate elimination of professionals with access to sensitive information. These narratives gain strength mainly due to the current geopolitical context, marked by technological competition between major powers. However, until now, There is no concrete evidence to support these theories.Authorities and experts emphasize that, while the cases warrant investigation, any hasty conclusions could distort the reality of the facts.
Despite the amount of speculation, some points are well established. The individual cases are real and have been reported by international media outlets or recorded by local authorities. It is also a fact that they involve high-level professionals working in strategic areas. At the same time, there is still no public confirmation that the episodes are connected. The investigations are ongoing, and much information remains under analysis or has not been publicly released.
The trend is that new information will emerge as the investigations progress. Depending on the conclusions, the case may end up being a statistical coincidence involving professionals from the same sector—or it may take on more worrying dimensions if some kind of connection is identified. For now, the scenario remains open. Between concrete data and speculation, what exists is an ongoing investigation and a topic that, by its nature, will continue to arouse interest, both because of the relevance of those involved and because of the possible implications that may still come to light.
What has been clarified and what do the authorities say?
No case of McCaslandFor example, there are important details that rarely appear in viral versions. According to his wife's statements to the authorities, the former soldier showed signs of mental deterioration, with episodes of insomnia, anxiety, and memory lapses, in addition to expressing psychological distress and a desire to "end this suffering." These elements led the police to treat the case as the disappearance of a person in a vulnerable situation—not as an event linked to conspiracies.
Other episodes were also clarified as the investigations progressed. The physicist Nuno LoureiroFor example, he was killed by a former colleague motivated by personal resentment, dismissing any connection to espionage or secret projects. In light of the repercussions, American authorities began to speak out: the then-president Donald Trump He classified the case as "very serious," but stated that there is no evidence of a pattern among the episodes. As for... NASA He stated that there is no connection between the cases and his activities, reinforcing that there is no direct risk to national security related to his projects.
And you, what do you think about the disappearances of US scientists and researchersDo these cases indicate a real pattern, or are they independent episodes brought together by the coincidence of involving sensitive areas? Leave your opinion in the comments.
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Text revised by Alexandre Marques in 28 / 04 / 2026.
Sources: CNN, Fortune, The Independent e Fox News.
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