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US President Donald Trump has directed a federal investigation into a string of mysterious deaths and disappearances involving at least 10 American scientists and researchers linked to sensitive aerospace, defence, and unexplained aerial phenomena programmes.
The White House confirmed that the president was briefed earlier in the week on the incidents, some of which date back to mid-2023. Authorities, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), have been tasked with determining whether there are any connections among the cases.
Describing the matter as serious, Trump noted that several of the individuals involved were “very important people,” while expressing hope that the incidents are not linked.
Concerns over a potential pattern have been raised by Eric Burlison, a member of the House Oversight Committee, who described the developments as “too coincidental” to dismiss. He has called for a comprehensive probe, citing the victims’ access to classified information, including research into unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs), often referred to as UFOs.
Reports indicate that some of the scientists died under unclear or violent circumstances, while others disappeared without a trace.
Among the known cases is Michael David Hicks, a physicist with NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, who specialised in comets and asteroids and died in July 2023. The cause of his death has not been publicly disclosed.
Other incidents reportedly involve a Massachusetts-based nuclear physicist who was killed, as well as missing researchers and contractors linked to facilities such as Los Alamos National Laboratory and various NASA centres.
In one case, a scientist initially reported missing in late 2025 was later found dead months afterward, further deepening concerns.
Burlison also highlighted the disappearance of a senior US Air Force official who had reportedly attempted to reach out to him regarding UAP-related research before vanishing earlier this year.
While no official link has been established among the incidents, speculation has emerged over possible foreign involvement, with countries such as China, Russia, and Iran mentioned as potential actors. However, authorities have not substantiated these claims.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration is undertaking a “holistic review” of the cases to identify any common threads.
She assured that the investigation would be thorough, stating that “no stone will be unturned,” with updates to be provided as more information becomes available.
The incidents have drawn significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the individuals involved and the classified areas of research they were engaged in. For now, officials maintain that the investigation is still in its early stages, with no definitive conclusions on whether the cases are connected.
