A NASA engineer was found dead following a vehicle crash in Alabama last year, with authorities confirming the identity days after the incident, and federal agencies are now reviewing a broader set of cases involving scientists, as reported by Fox News.

Joshua LeBlanc, 29, died on July 22, 2025, after his Tesla crashed in Huntsville, Alabama. According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the vehicle collided with a guardrail and then several trees before catching fire. The crash occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m., and both the vehicle and LeBlanc’s body were described as burned beyond recognition.

Earlier that same day, at 4:32 a.m., LeBlanc’s family reported him missing after he failed to show up for work, according to KLFY. Family members said it was unusual for him to be out of contact and noted that he had left his phone and wallet at home.

Authorities later confirmed LeBlanc’s identity three days after the crash, following examination by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.

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Investigators used data from the Tesla’s Sentry Mode system to trace the vehicle’s movements before the crash. According to the information obtained, the vehicle had been parked at the Huntsville airport for about four hours earlier that morning.

Family members told KLFY that the trip was not part of his plans for the day and said his lack of communication was out of character.

LeBlanc worked as an aerospace technologies electrical engineer at NASA, focusing on nuclear propulsion projects. His professional profile indicated that he had been with the agency for approximately five-and-a-half years and served as a team lead for the Space Nuclear Propulsion Instrumentation and Control Maturation program.

According to NASA, Space Nuclear Propulsion technology is intended to support faster transportation for crewed missions to Mars and other deep-space objectives. LeBlanc was also identified as a team lead on the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operation program, a nuclear thermal propulsion initiative.

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In the months following the incident, attention has expanded to include other cases involving individuals connected to nuclear science and space research. Since 2022, multiple individuals in related fields have either died or been reported missing.

Those reported missing between 2023 and 2026 include Monica Reza, 60; Melissa Casias, 53; Anthony Chavez, 79; Steven Garcia, 48; and retired Air Force Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland, 68.

Separately, Michael David Hicks, 59; Frank Maiwald, 61; Nuno Loureiro, 47; Jason Thomas, 45; Amy Eskridge, 34; and Carl Grillmair, 47, were reported to have died between 2022 and 2026. Hicks, Maiwald, and Reza were connected to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Authorities have not established any confirmed link between the cases. However, the number of incidents has prompted federal attention.

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In a statement to Fox News Digital, the Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed it is coordinating with other federal departments to review potential connections.

"The FBI is spearheading the effort to look for connections into the missing and deceased scientists," the agency said. "We are working with the Department of Energy, Department of War, and with our state and local law enforcement partners to find answers."

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has not announced any additional findings beyond the initial crash report, and the investigation into LeBlanc’s death remains based on the details released in July 2025.

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