The White House and FBI are investigating a troubling pattern of deaths and disappearances involving 11 U.S. scientists with high-level security clearances to determine if they are victims of coordinated targeting or isolated incidents.
Federal investigators and the White House have launched a comprehensive review into the mysterious deaths and disappearances of 11 scientists and researchers with ties to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Frank Rose, a former top official at the agency, told The Post that while he expects feds to uncover “crazy stuff” regarding individual cases, he remains skeptical of a coordinated conspiracy. Rose noted that the NNSA’s massive workforce is a prime target for foreign intelligence but attributed the incidents to the natural statistical variance of a 60,000-person agency.
The investigation gained significant momentum following the disappearance of retired Air Force General William McCasland in early 2026 and the 2022 suicide of researcher Amy Eskridge, who had alleged harassment and sabotage related to her “antigravity” work. Lawmakers, including Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.), have expressed concern that the string of incidents is “too coincidental” to be ignored, suggesting potential involvement from foreign adversaries like China, Russia, or Iran. The NNSA confirmed on Friday that it is actively looking into reports involving former employees who held high-level security clearances.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the FBI and other relevant agencies are now “holistically reviewing” the cases to identify potential commonalities. This effort comes as renowned physicist Dr. Michio Kaku described the number of vanished experts as “unheard of” and a legitimate cause for national concern. While officials have not yet confirmed a single thread linking the victims, the administration has pledged that “no stone will be unturned” in determining whether sensitive U.S. defense or aerospace research has been targeted.