White House will review reports of 10 missing scientists tied to top-secret nuclear and aerospace research

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday she has not yet spoken with federal agencies about reports that a number of American scientists with access to classified nuclear or aerospace materials have gone missing or died, but said the White House would look into the matter.

Leavitt was asked on Wednesday at a White House press briefing by Fox News’ Peter Doocy, who noted, “There are now 10 American scientists who have either gone missing or died since mid-2024. They all reportedly had access to classified nuclear or aerospace material.”

“Is anybody investigating this to see if these things are connected?” Doocy asked.

“I’ve seen the report, Peter. I haven't spoken to our relevant agencies about it,” Leavitt responded. “I will certainly do that, and we'll get you an answer. If true, of course, that's definitely something I think this government administration would deem work worth looking into. So let me do that for you.”

The most recent reported case involves 48-year-old Steven Garcia, who went missing in August 2025. He was last seen leaving his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on foot while carrying a handgun. According to a report by the Daily Mail, Garcia was a contractor working on the Kansas City National Security Campus, a facility involved in producing non-nuclear components used in US nuclear weapons systems. He reportedly held a top-secret security clearance and worked as a property custodian.

Surveillance footage last showed Garcia leaving his home the day he disappeared. A source cited in the report described him as a “very stable person” and speculated that Garcia being targeted by foreign spies “makes the most sense.”

Garcia’s disappearance marks the 10th reported incident of someone tied to sensitive nuclear or aerospace work having either died or gone missing since 2024. Four other officials have been banished in ways similar to Garcia, each of whom had knowledge of US nuclear secrets or rocket technology.