The White House publicly addressed reports on Wednesday, April 5, regarding 10 Americans linked to nuclear and aerospace work who have reportedly died or gone missing since mid-2024.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt took questions during the daily briefing. Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy asked directly about the cases. He noted that the individuals had access to classified nuclear or aerospace material.
Leavitt said the administration had seen the reports. “We’ll look into it and we’ll get you an answer,” she told reporters. She added that she had not yet discussed the details with other officials but confirmed the White House would review the information.
This marked the first time the administration commented on the growing list of cases. Local and state authorities have led separate investigations so far. No single federal investigation linking all 10 has been announced.
The cases stretch across several states. They involve scientists, engineers, contractors and a retired military officer. Many worked at or with facilities such as Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California.
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Recent case adds to the list
Steven Garcia, 48, became the tenth person on the list. He disappeared on August 28, 2025. Garcia left his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on foot just after 9 a.m. He carried only a handgun and a bottle of water. He left behind his phone, keys, wallet and car.
Garcia worked as a government contractor with top security clearance at the Kansas City National Security Campus facility in Albuquerque. The site produces more than 80 percent of the non-nuclear components for U.S. nuclear weapons. Police described him as possibly a danger to himself at the time of his disappearance.
Other cases include Monica Jacinto Reza, a senior aerospace engineer and director of materials processing at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. She vanished in June 2025 while hiking along Angeles Crest Highway in California.
Retired U.S. Air Force Major General William “Neil” McCasland went missing from his Albuquerque home on February 27, 2026. Anthony Chavez, a former Los Alamos National Laboratory employee, also disappeared in 2025.
The full list includes researchers tied to rocket technology, nuclear weapons components and related defense projects. Some died under unclear circumstances. Others vanished without their personal items. Investigations remain open in multiple jurisdictions.
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Families have continued to search for answers. Local police departments have released timelines and surveillance details in several cases. No common cause has been confirmed across the incidents.
Why this matters
The missing and deceased individuals held positions that gave them knowledge of sensitive U.S. technology. Their work covered nuclear weapons production, aerospace engineering and national defense programs. Any loss of such personnel raises questions about the security of classified information.
The White House review comes after more than a year of individual reports. It may lead to a coordinated look at whether the cases connect. Families and investigators continue their work as the administration gathers details. Further updates could come in the coming weeks.
