Source: Original Article
David Lindfield
A congressional investigation into a growing number of missing and deceased scientists was triggered after the disappearance of a high-ranking Air Force official tied to some of the nation’s most classified research programs, a House Republican has revealed.
Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO) revealed that the probe was sparked in part by the sudden disappearance of retired Air Force Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland.
As Slay News has been documenting, McCasland vanished in February from his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Burlison described McCasland as the “UFO general.”
Key Figure Vanishes Without a Trace
Burlison said McCasland had already been on the radar of congressional investigators before he disappeared.
“He was on our list to talk to, and he disappeared, so that kind of piqued our interest,” Burlison said.
McCasland was described by Burlison as a “UFO general” due to his background in advanced aerospace and classified programs.
When he disappeared, McCasland left behind key personal items, including his phone and prescription glasses.
Authorities also reported his wallet, hiking boots, and a .38-caliber revolver missing.
The unexplained circumstances have raised serious concerns among lawmakers.
“I’m not going to jump to that conclusion, but it’s certainly suspicious,” Burlison said when asked about potential foul play.
Pattern of Scientists Disappearing Raises Alarm
McCasland is one of at least 11 individuals connected to nuclear, aerospace, or advanced research fields who have died or vanished under unusual circumstances since 2022.
Several had ties to sensitive government work, including research related to unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP).
Burlison pointed to a troubling pattern.
“How many people walk out their front door without their phone, their wallet, their keys, or anything?” he said.
“I don’t go anywhere without my phone.”
“I don’t even mow the lawn without my phone.”
“So it’s just really, really strange that in about a five-month period of time, four or five people walked out their front door and never returned, and were all doing advanced aerospace research,” he added.
House Oversight Launches Investigation
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) and Burlison formally launched an investigation this week, seeking answers from multiple federal agencies.
The lawmakers sent letters to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of War, NASA, and the Department of Energy requesting information about the missing individuals.
They also requested a staff-level briefing by April 27.
“I want them to determine if there’s any kind of foul play,” Burlison said, referring to the Trump administration’s role in reviewing the cases.
Federal Agencies Respond as Pressure Builds
NASA confirmed it is coordinating with other agencies but said it has not identified a national security threat at this stage.
“At this time, nothing related to NASA indicates a national security threat,” a spokesperson said.
“The agency is committed to transparency and will provide more information as it becomes available.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said last week that President Donald Trump is directly involved in the response.
She stated that the administration is “actively working with all relevant agencies and the FBI” to review the cases and determine whether any connections exist.
Questions Mount as Investigation Expands
While federal officials have not confirmed any link between the cases, the overlap in fields, national security access, and the timing of the incidents has intensified scrutiny.
With Congress now formally engaged and multiple agencies involved, pressure is mounting for answers about whether these cases are isolated incidents or part of something far more concerning.