FBI probes cases of missing or dead scientists, including four from the L.A. area

Key Points:

• The FBI has launched a broad investigation into the deaths or disappearances of at least 10 scientists and staff involved in sensitive research, including four from the Los Angeles area, amid national security concerns.
• The investigation involves coordination with the Department of Energy, Department of War, state and local law enforcement, and agencies such as NASA, which owns the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) where some of the affected scientists worked.
• The House Oversight Committee has also initiated an inquiry, with lawmakers warning that these incidents could pose a grave threat to U.S. national security if the reports are accurate.
• Notable cases include the deaths of JPL scientists Michael David Hicks and Frank Maiwald, the disappearance of materials scientist Monica Jacinto Reza, and the fatal shooting of Caltech astrophysicist Carl Grillmair, whose accused murderer has been charged.
• NASA has stated it is cooperating with investigations and currently sees no indication of a national security threat, while Caltech has yet to comment on the situation.