At least 10 people tied to sensitive US research have died or disappeared

window.CNN.contentModel.leadingMediaType = 'image'; window.CNN.contentModel.isVideoCollection = false; The House Oversight Committee announced Monday it will investigate reports of the deaths and disappearances of scientists who it said had access to sensitive scientific information. Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images Federal agencies Space programs National security US military See all topics Facebook Tweet Email Link Threads Link Copied! Follow A nuclear physicist and MIT professor fatally shot outside his Massachusetts residence. A retired Air Force general missing from his New Mexico home. An aerospace engineer who disappeared during a hike in Los Angeles. These are among at least 10 individuals connected to sensitive US nuclear and aerospace research who have died or disappeared in recent years, prompting concerns whether they are connected and fueling speculation online about the possibility of nefarious activity. The FBI now says it “is spearheading the effort to look for connections into the missing and deceased scientists,” adding that it “is working with the Department of Energy, Department of War, and with our state … and local law enforcement partners to find answers.” Separately, the Republican-led House Oversight Committee announced Monday it will investigate reports of the deaths and disappearances of the individuals, whom it said had access to sensitive scientific information. The reports “raise questions about a possible sinister connection” between the deaths and disappearances, the committee said in its statement, seeking briefings on the matter from the FBI, the Defense Department, the Department of Energy and NASA. The Defense Department said only that it would respond to the committee directly, and the Department of Energy referred questions to the White House. In a post on X, NASA said it is “coordinating and cooperating with the relevant agencies” in relation to the scientists. “At this time, nothing related to NASA indicates a national security threat,” NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens said. The cases vary widely in circumstance. Some involve unsolved homicides, while others are missing persons cases with no signs of foul play. In at least two instances, families have pointed to preexisting medical conditions or personal struggles as explanations. Authorities have not established any links between the cases. The White House said last week it is also working with federal agencies to probe any potential links between the deaths and disappearances, with President Donald Trump referring to the matter as “pretty serious stuff.” “It’s very unlikely that this is a coincidence,” House Oversight Chair James Comer, a Republican, told “Fox News Sunday.” “Congress is very concerned about this. Our committee is making this one of our priorities now because we view this as a national security threat.” Rep. James Walkinshaw, a Democrat who also serves on the Oversight Committee, agrees an investigation into the disappearances and deaths is warranted, but he said he is not convinced there is a coordinated motive behind the cases. “The United States has thousands of nuclear scientists and nuclear experts,” Walkinshaw told CNN’s Erin Burnett on Tuesday. “It’s not the kind of nuclear program that potentially a foreign adversary could significantly impact by targeting 10 individuals.” Circumstances vary case by case The string of mysterious deaths and disappearances began in 2023, lawmakers say, with the death of Michael David Hicks, a…

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