White House and Nuclear Security Officials Probe Cluster of Missing and Dead U.S. Defense Scientists
White House and U.S. nuclear security officials are probing a cluster of missing and dead defense scientists tied to classified programs.
Officials began a review after a string of apparent deaths and disappearances tied to personnel who worked on US defense and national-security programs. The White House and nuclear security offices opened the probe in response to media reports and congressional concern over a cluster spanning roughly a year.
Fox News reporting expanded the list of cases and identified an 11th individual, Amy Eskridge, who died by an apparently self-inflicted gunshot on June 11, 2022. Eskridge co-founded the Institute for Exotic Science and had publicly claimed an "antigravity" breakthrough in 2020, later reporting harassment, threats and suspected sabotage. The Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration said it is aware of reports about employees at its labs, plants and sites and is looking into the matter. President Trump said he had "just left a meeting" about the cases, called the situation "pretty serious" and said he expected answers within roughly a week and a half. Fox also named other people linked to the cluster, including Steven Garcia, Melissa Casias, Anthony Chavez, Jason Thomas, Gen. William McCasland and aerospace engineer Monica Jacinto Reza. Social media and independent analysts highlighted patterns and raised questions about links to classified programs, with some observers noting at least six connected individuals and pointing to specific cases like Carl Grillmair's shooting. Congressional members expressed disturbance at disappearances tied to classified Air Force projects while stopping short of endorsing conspiracy theories.
Early coverage focused on one high-profile disappearance and suggested a possible pattern tied to secret work. Subsequent reporting by Fox broadened the list of names and added details such as Eskridge's claimed research, the NNSA statement and President Trump's comment, shifting attention from speculation to an official review. That evolution shows mainstream coverage moving from isolated reports toward a followable inquiry with agency confirmation and congressional scrutiny.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- Amy Eskridge, a Huntsville-based experimental propulsion researcher and co‑founder of the Institute for Exotic Science, died by an apparent self-inflicted gunshot on June 11, 2022; Fox News cites her as the 11th case in the cluster of missing and dead U.S. defense scientists with access to U.S. secrets.
- Eskridge had publicly claimed in 2020 that she and colleagues had discovered 'antigravity' and said she subsequently faced escalating harassment, threats and sabotage; she warned that researchers reporting unconventional breakthroughs can be pressured out of public view or 'disappear' from publishing and said she felt forced to publish to protect herself.
- Fox News named and visually highlighted additional people linked to the cluster, including contractor Steven Garcia; Los Alamos–linked employees Melissa Casias and Anthony Chavez; pharmaceutical scientist Jason Thomas; and previously reported figures such as Gen. McCasland and Monica Jacinto Reza.
- The Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) told Fox News it is aware of reports about employees at its labs, plants and sites and is 'looking into the matter.'
- President Trump said he had 'just left a meeting' on the string of cases, called the situation 'pretty serious,' said he hoped it was random, and expected answers within roughly a week and a half.
- White House and nuclear security officials are probing the cluster of missing and dead officials with access to U.S. secrets, and the situation remains an active, developing investigation.
đź“° Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Amy Eskridge, a Huntsville-based experimental propulsion researcher who died by reported self-inflicted gunshot on June 11, 2022, is now being cited as the 11th case in the cluster.
- Eskridge co-founded the Institute for Exotic Science and publicly claimed in 2020 that she and colleagues had discovered 'antigravity,' after which she described escalating harassment, threats and sabotage.
- She warned in a recorded interview that researchers who report unconventional breakthroughs can be pressured out of public view or 'disappear' from publishing, and said she felt forced to publish to protect herself.
- The Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration gave Fox News a statement confirming it is aware of reports about employees at its labs, plants and sites and is 'looking into the matter.'
- President Trump told reporters he had 'just left a meeting' on the string of cases, called the situation 'pretty serious,' and said he hoped it was random but expected answers within roughly a week and a half.
- Fox names and visually highlights additional individuals in the cluster, including contractor Steven Garcia, Los Alamos–linked employees Melissa Casias and Anthony Chavez, and pharmaceutical scientist Jason Thomas, alongside previously noted names like Gen. McCasland and Monica Jacinto Reza.