At least 10 American scientists with ties to U.S. nuclear or space research programs have died or disappeared in recent years, including four with ties to Southern California.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation said it’s looking into the mysterious cases to see if they are connected because at least 10 scientists have vanished or died since 2022. The four individuals with SoCal roots are:
Michael David Hicks – A scientist and Sunland resident who worked at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in La Cañada Flintridge. He died at the age of 59 on July 30, 2023. A cause of death was not publicly released.
Frank Maiwald – A scientist at NASA JPL. He died at the age of 61 on July 4, 2024. A cause of death was not made public.
Monica Reza – A scientist at NASA JPL. She vanished at the age of 60 while on a hike near Mount Waterman in the Angeles National Forest on June 22, 2025.
Carl Grillmair – An astrophysicist at Caltech. He died at the age of 67 after he was fatally shot on the front porch of his home in the Antelope Valley in February of this year.
The cases have caught the attention of President Donald Trump, who said he’s discussed the scientists in a meeting with other leaders.
“I hope it’s random, but we’re going to know in the next week and a half,” Trump told reporters Thursday, according to NBC News. “Pretty serious stuff … hopefully a coincidence, or whatever you want to call it.”
On Monday, the FBI confirmed it is investigating the cases and working with “the Department of Energy, Department of War, and with our state and state and local law enforcement partners to find answers.”