A NASA-linked engineer killed in a fiery crash has become the latest name in a chilling string of missing or dead space experts.
Mysterious deaths and disappearances are now startingto stack up, as at least a dozen scientists and experts tied to high-level research have now died or vanished since 2022.
The death of a NASA-affiliated engineer brings the total of missing or deceased space specialists to 12 Credit: Getty
Former NASA scientist Joshua LeBlanc died in a horror car crash on July 22 last year Credit: Linkedin
The latest case involves NASA engineer Joshua LeBlanc, who died after his Tesla smashed into a guardrail, hit trees and burst into flames.
His body was burned beyond recognition after the horror crash last July 22 in Huntsville, Alabama.
Hours earlier, his family had reported him missing after he failed to show up to work – something they said was completely out of character.
They also revealed Joshua, 29, had left his phone and wallet at home.
Data later showed his car had been sitting at an airport for four hours before the crash, in a trip his family insisted was not planned.
LeBlanc worked on nuclear propulsion systems designed for future missions to Mars.
His death is now being viewed alongside a string of other chilling cases involving top scientists and military figures.
Among the most alarming cases is retired Air Force Major General William Neil McCasland, 68, who was last seen on February 27 near his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Another is NASA-linked engineer Monica Reza, 60, who vanished on June 22, 2025 while hiking in California’s Angeles National Forest.
Anthony Chavez, 79, also disappeared on May 8, 2025 in Los Alamos, NM, while Melissa Casias, 53, was last seen walking along a roadside in Ranchos De Taos, NM.
Steven Garcia, 48, also vanished after leaving his Albuquerque home on August 28, 2025.
All had links to sensitive research, including nuclear technology and aerospace projects.
William McCasland oversaw the rocket project at Ohio’s Air Force Research Laboratory where Reza worked Credit: Facebook/Susan McCasland Wilkerson
Monica Reza, 60, worked on a rocket project at Ohio’s Air Force Research Laboratory and went missing in June 2025 Credit: Aerojet Rocketdyne
Amy Eskridge, co-founder of the Institute for Exotic Science, was recently identified as another possible link. She died by suicide in June 2025 Credit: Facebook
Nuno Loureiro, an MIT scientist, was shot dead in his home in December 2025 Credit: MIT Nuclear Science and Engineering
Those who have died include Amy Eskridge in 2022, Michael David Hicks in July 2023, Frank Maiwald in July 2024, Nuno Loureiro in December 2025, Carl Grillmair in February 2026, and Jason Thomas in March 2026.
Several worked on cutting-edge space or nuclear projects, while others – like Reza and McCasland – simply vanished without trace.
It comes as authorities scramble to work out if there is any link between the cases.
The FBI has now stepped in and confirmed it will be
The agency said: “The FBI is spearheading the effort to look for connections into the missing and deceased scientists.
“We are working with the Department of Energy, Department of War, and with our state and local law enforcement partners to find answers.”
President Donald Trump has also been briefed on the situation and did not downplay the concern.
He previously described the cases as “pretty serious stuff” involving “very important people,” as multiple agencies – including the FBI and Department of Energy – were pulled into the investigation.
“I hope it’s random, but we’re going to know in the next week and a half,” Trump said.
“Pretty serious stuff, hopefully a coincidence, or whatever you want to call it.”
NASA says it is cooperating fully with investigators but insists there is no immediate threat.
Melissa Casias, who worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, vanished after dropping lunch off for her daughter in June 2025 Credit: GoFundMe
Chemical biologist Jason Thomas was found dead in a Massachusetts lake a few months after he was reported missing Credit: Wakefield Police Department
Galactic astronomy researcher Carl Grillmair died from a gunshot wound to the torso in February Credit: Caltech
“At this time, nothing related to NASA indicates a national security threat,” it said.
Pressure is now mounting on Capitol Hill, with lawmakers openly questioning what is going on.
Republican Congressman Tim Burchett warned: “The numbers seem very high in these certain areas of research,” adding: “I think we’d better be paying attention, and I don’t think we should trust our government.”
House Oversight Chairman James Comer went further, raising fears of foreign interest in US secrets.
He said: “Something sinister could be happening.
“We know there are many countries around the world that would love to have our knowledge and nuclear capabilities. And these are the people that were at the forefront of it, and they’re either dead or missing.”
Despite the growing alarm, officials have so far found no confirmed connection between the deaths and disappearances.
Some experts and relatives have also urged caution over spiralling online theories, insisting not every case is suspicious.
Behind the scenes, officials are racing to establish whether this is a grim coincidence or something far more troubling.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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