FBI probes scientist deaths and disappearances at US labs as officials dismiss conspiracy theories

The FBI is leading an investigation into a series of scientist deaths and disappearances linked to sensitive US laboratories, though officials say there is no clear evidence connecting the cases.

According to CBS News, in a statement on Tuesday, the bureau said it 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 state and local law enforcement partners to find answers.”

The cases involve 10 individuals over a three year period, including staff connected to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The incidents have fuelled widespread speculation online about possible links or targeted attacks.

However, investigators and experts have pushed back against those claims. A former Department of Energy official told CBS News: “People do just die. Strokes, heard disease, suicide, mugging, it happens.”

President Donald Trump also commented on the situation, saying: “I just left a meeting on that subject, so pretty serious stuff. Hopefully, coincidence... but some of them were very important people, and we are going to look at it.”