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FBI and House Committee Investigate Series of Deaths and Disappearances of Individuals Connected to U.S. Nuclear and Aerospace Programs

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A Pattern of Loss: Investigating Deaths and Disappearances in U.S. Nuclear and Defense Communities

A series of deaths and disappearances of individuals with connections to U.S. nuclear weapons, aerospace, and defense research programs has prompted official investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the House Oversight Committee.

The cases, which have occurred since 2023, involve at least ten scientists, engineers, and government personnel. The circumstances of each case vary, including unsolved homicides, missing persons cases with no signs of foul play, and deaths attributed to natural or other causes. Authorities have not established any links between the cases.

Recent Disappearance of Steven Garcia

Steven Garcia, 48, was reported missing on August 28, 2025, after last being seen leaving his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on foot. Surveillance footage from a neighbor showed him wearing a green camouflage shirt and shorts and carrying a handgun. The Albuquerque Police Department stated Garcia "may be a danger to himself."

An anonymous source told the Daily Mail that Garcia worked as a government contractor at the Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC) in Albuquerque. According to the source, Garcia served as a property custodian with a top security clearance and oversaw assets, some of which were classified. The KCNSC, owned by the U.S. Department of Energy, manufactures non-nuclear components for U.S. nuclear weapons. The Daily Mail reported contacting KCNSC and the Department of Energy for comment, but their responses were not included in the initial report. Following Garcia's disappearance, KCNSC reportedly searched his work computers, emails, and files but found no clues.

Other Reported Disappearances

Several other individuals connected to U.S. national security facilities have been reported missing since 2025:

  • William Neil McCasland (68): A retired U.S. Air Force Major General and former commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), McCasland disappeared from Albuquerque, New Mexico, on February 27, 2026. He was last seen carrying a .38-caliber revolver. The FBI is involved in the search. His wife, Susan McCasland Wilkerson, publicly stated she believes his disappearance is not tied to his work and dismissed related conspiracy theories.

  • Anthony Chavez (79): A retired employee of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Chavez disappeared in May 2025. Los Alamos police reported no signs of foul play.

  • Melissa Casias (54): An administrative assistant at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Casias was last seen walking on a highway near Talpa, New Mexico, in June 2025. The New Mexico State Police stated no foul play is suspected.

  • Monica Jacinto Reza (60): An aerospace engineer and director of the Materials Processing Group at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Reza disappeared while hiking in a California forest on June 22, 2025. Her work on a project called Mondaloy was funded by the Air Force Research Lab while General McCasland oversaw the lab.

A source noted that Kirtland Air Force Base, KCNSC, and LANL collaborate on national security projects involving nuclear capabilities.

Reported Deaths

The following individuals with connections to U.S. research programs have died since 2023:

  • Nuno F.G. Loureiro (47): An MIT professor and nuclear fusion scientist, was fatally shot at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts, on December 15, 2025. Authorities identified the gunman as a former classmate, who also opened fire on Brown University's campus.

  • Carl Grillmair (67): An astrophysicist at the California Institute of Technology who collaborated with NASA, was fatally shot at his home in February 2026. Authorities arrested a suspect they stated did not know Grillmair.

  • Frank Maiwald (61): A NASA scientist, died on July 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. The cause of death was not made public, and officials confirmed no autopsy was performed.

  • Michael David Hicks (59): A research scientist at NASA JPL for nearly 25 years, died on July 30, 2023. The cause of death was not made public. His daughter stated he had been struggling with known medical issues.

  • Jason Thomas: A pharmaceutical researcher, disappeared in December 2025 and was found dead in a Massachusetts lake on March 17, 2026.

  • Matthew James Sullivan (39): A former U.S. Air Force intelligence officer, died in 2024. Rep. Eric Burlison (R) stated Sullivan died by suicide before he could testify in a federal whistleblower case.

  • Amy Eskridge (34): Co-founded the Institute for Exotic Science, died in 2022. Her family stated she suffered from chronic pain.

  • David Wilcock: A UFO researcher, died by suicide in March 2025.

Official Investigations and Statements

The FBI confirmed it is leading a formal effort to investigate potential connections between the cases. FBI Director Kash Patel stated the bureau is looking for connections related to "classified access, access to classified information, and or foreign actors." The FBI is coordinating with the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, and state and local law enforcement.

The House Oversight Committee, chaired by Rep. James Comer (R-KY), announced it is investigating the matter and has requested staff-level briefings from the FBI, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and NASA by April 27. Rep. Comer stated the pattern of incidents "raises questions about a possible sinister connection" and called it a "national security threat."

"The United States has thousands of nuclear scientists... It's not the kind of nuclear program that potentially a foreign adversary could significantly impact by targeting 10 individuals." — Rep. James Walkinshaw (D)

Rep. James Walkinshaw (D) agreed an investigation is warranted but stated he is not convinced there is a coordinated motive.

The White House stated it is working with federal agencies to probe potential links. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said she would consult with intelligence agencies. Former President Donald Trump called the matter "pretty serious stuff" and said, "I hope it is random, but we are going to know in the next week and a half."

Agency Responses

A NASA spokesperson stated the agency is "coordinating and cooperating with the relevant agencies" and that "at this time, nothing related to NASA indicates a national security threat."

The Department of Defense stated it would respond to the House Oversight Committee directly. The Department of Energy referred questions to the White House.

Expert Analysis and Alternative Explanations

Some experts attribute the series of events to coincidence and the tendency to connect unrelated incidents. Greg Eghigian, a professor at Penn State University, noted that the theory feeds into existing narratives involving military and nuclear facilities. Critics of the conspiracy theory state it reflects heightened national security anxiety and the spread of disinformation.