‘Missing scientists’ cases may be random; Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb warns what’s actually threatening America’s scientific superiority

As the White House, Congress, and several federal agencies continue investigating a loosely defined list of recent deaths and disappearances involving around 10 scientists and staff with possible links to classified military research, Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb is sticking to his earlier views that there is still no clear evidence of a coordinated pattern and drawing a grim situation elsewhere, wrapping the US science program, rather than the scientists.

Congressman James Comer, who chairs the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Congressman Eric Burlison, chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs, have officially stated they are examining the cases as a potential national security concern.

But despite rising conspiracy theories and speculation online, Loeb believes there is little reason so far to treat the deaths and disappearances as a connected series of events.

‘There is no reason to connect the dots’

Loeb, who previously drew global attention for suggesting interstellar object 3I/ATLAS could potentially be artificial technology such as an alien probe or “mothership,” has now taken a more cautious position on the missing scientists discussion.


In a blogpost said, “there is no reason to connect the dots or identify a pattern among the different cases.” He further added, “But humans tend to search for patterns even if they do not exist. There are thousands of nuclear and aerospace scientists in the U.S., and people die or go missing all the time.”

His comments came after multiple television and radio appearances where he was repeatedly asked about the scientists under investigation. “In dozens of television and radio interviews that I had over the past week, I was asked about the missing scientists. This morning on ‘Wake Up America’ on Newsmax, I clarified that I do not believe the cases are connected but the FBI should check if there are adversarial nations behind any one of them.”

From alien probe theory to ‘missing science’

Loeb had earlier become one of the most vocal scientific voices around 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar object discovered in July 2025 originating from outside the solar system. He floated the theory that the object could be a form of artificial technology rather than a natural comet, citing its anomalies. That earlier stance led some readers to challenge his current caution.

Commenting on the blog, one reader wrote, “Why not? You did it in 3I/Atlas case...., and everybody, including me, followed your thoughts. If something scape from the random patterns, our duty is to check it out, with science, justice, and methods. As you did.”

Real ‘missing scientist’ case is the missing ‘science’ as per Loeb

While rejecting the idea of a broad conspiracy, Loeb argued that the bigger national concern is not “missing scientists" but what he called “missing science” in US priorities. “Nevertheless, I also added that the main problem we currently have is that science is missing from our national priorities.”

He criticized possible budget cuts to major federal science agencies, including NASA, NIH (National Institutes of Health) and NSF (National Science Foundation), where the Trump administration has reportedly fired the entire board, saying the government should instead celebrate science as a pillar of national security and global leadership.

“Instead of entertaining budget cuts in federal science agencies like NASA, NIH or NSF, the U.S. government should celebrate the benefits of science to global leadership, national security, economic prosperity and national pride,” he said.


Loeb pointed to major scientific successes such as Artemis II, the Webb Space Telescope and the LIGO gravitational-wave observatory as examples of why continued investment matters “Cutting funding for science while supporting AI and quantum technologies is equivalent to cutting the roots of a tree while watering its branches.”

He also warned that “American superiority in science and technology will not last long this way” if support for foundational research declines.

Trump says answers may come soon

President Donald Trump also addressed the issue earlier this month, calling the pattern of missing scientists possibly random while promising a review. “Hopefully, I don’t know; coincidence, whatever you want to call it. But some of them were very important people, and we’re going to look at it over the next short period.”

The President has also suggested that the public could know whether there is a real connection in a week or so.