The White House confirmed on April 17 that it is working with the FBI to investigate the disappearances and deaths of 10 U.S. scientists and government employees with access to classified nuclear or aerospace material. President Donald Trump hinted at the seriousness of the cases, stating, 'I just left a meeting on that subject. Pretty serious stuff,' during a press interaction. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also acknowledged the investigation, saying the administration is reviewing the cases for potential commonalities.
Among the missing is retired Air Force Maj. General William 'Neil' McCasland, 68, who vanished from his Albuquerque home in February. McCasland, who oversaw advanced military research programs, left his phone but took his wallet and a .38-caliber revolver. His wife, Susan Wilkerson, suggested he may have planned his disappearance. Authorities have not ruled out foul play but noted no signs of disorientation at the time of his vanishing.
The cases span three years and involve researchers tied to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Los Alamos National Laboratory. While online speculation has linked the disappearances to espionage or classified programs, investigators emphasize that no evidence supports a coordinated plot. The FBI's involvement remains unclear, with some reports suggesting it is not actively investigating the cases.