Karoline Leavitt says White House, FBI reviewing missing scientists cases

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Friday that the Trump administration is working with federal agencies and the FBI to review a growing number of cases involving missing or deceased U.S. scientists and to determine whether any of those cases may be linked.

“In light of recent, legitimate questions about these troubling cases, and President Trump’s commitment to the truth, the White House is actively working with all relevant agencies and the FBI to comprehensively review all cases and identify potential commonalities that may exist,” Leavitt said in an article on X.

“No stone will be left unturned in this effort, and the White House will provide updates when we have them.”

Leavitt’s statement followed an exchange Wednesday with Fox News’ Peter Doocy, who asked whether federal authorities were investigating reports that scientists with access to sensitive U.S. research had disappeared or died.

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, U.S., April 15, 2026. (Reuters/Evan Vucci)

“There are now 10 American scientists who have gone missing or died since mid-2024,” Doocy said. “They all allegedly had access to classified nuclear or aerospace materials. Is anyone investigating this to see if these things are related?”

Leavitt said at the time that she had seen the reports but had not yet spoken with the agencies involved.

“I’ve seen the report, Peter. I haven’t spoken to our relevant agencies about it,” she said Wednesday. “I certainly will and we’ll give you an answer. If that’s true, of course, that’s certainly something that I think this government and this administration would find worth looking into.”

Jason Thomas, left, Melissa Casias, center, and Frank Maiwald are among the scientists whose deaths or disappearances have come under scrutiny as officials examine whether cases are linked. (Fox News: Sierra Casias: Legacy.com)

The number of cases has since increased, with an 11th scientist now included among deaths and disappearances involving people linked to US military, nuclear and aerospace research.

Amy Eskridge, a Huntsville, Alabama-based researcher who died in 2022 at the age of 34, is now included in the list, Fox News Digital reported.

His death has drawn renewed attention, as at least 10 other recent cases involving people linked to advanced research areas have raised questions about whether a pattern exists.

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President Donald Trump said Thursday he “just left a meeting” on the issue and promised to respond within days, calling the situation “pretty serious.”

“I hope it’s random, but we’ll know in a week and a half,” Trump said.

The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration said it was aware of the reports and was looking into the matter.

A display of the F-1 engine used in the Space Shuttle at the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama. (Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge/Getty Images)

“NNSA is aware of the reports regarding employees at our laboratories, factories and sites and is investigating the matter,” the agency said in a statement.

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Authorities have not confirmed any links between the cases. But the timing of the deaths and disappearances, as well as the connections between the individuals and advanced areas of research, have attracted public attention and sparked speculation.

There is no public evidence linking Eskridge’s death to the other cases, and authorities have indicated no connection between his work and the circumstances of his death.