Trump orders probe after disappearance of scientists with UAP, defence ties

By Lawrence Agbo

Donald Trump has ordered a federal probe into the deaths and disappearances of at least 10 American scientists tied to sensitive aerospace, defence and UAP-related research.

The White House said the president was briefed on the cases, some dating back to mid-2023, and has directed agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to determine whether any links exist.

Describing the incidents as “serious matters,” Trump noted that several of those affected were “very important people,” while expressing hope that the cases are unrelated.

According to reports, some of the individuals died under unclear or violent circumstances, while others vanished without a trace. One of the cases involves Michael David Hicks, a Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientist who died in July 2023, with no cause of death publicly disclosed.

Concerns about a possible pattern have been raised by Eric Burlison, who described the incidents as “too coincidental” and called for a comprehensive investigation. He suggested that the victims’ access to classified information, including work on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs), could be significant.

Other reported cases include the killing of a nuclear physicist in Massachusetts and disappearances linked to institutions such as Los Alamos National Laboratory and NASA facilities. In one instance, a scientist reported missing in late 2025 was later found dead months later.

Burlison also cited the disappearance of a senior Air Force official who had reportedly attempted to contact him regarding UAP research before vanishing earlier this year. While he speculated about possible involvement of foreign adversaries, including China, Russia, or Iran, authorities have not confirmed any such link.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said a “holistic review” is underway, stressing that “no stone will be unturned” as officials work to determine whether the incidents are connected.

Despite growing attention due to the high-profile nature of those involved, officials maintain that the investigation is still in its early stages, with no definitive conclusions so far.