A Los Alamos National Laboratory employee who disappeared without trace in August last year has been found dead in a remote area of northern New Mexico, authorities confirmed. The discovery ends a 10-month search that had raised questions about security protocols at one of America’s most sensitive nuclear facilities. The body of the worker, a 47-year-old man, was located by hikers in a rugged canyon approximately 30 miles from the laboratory.
Foul play is not suspected, according to the Santa Fe County sheriff, but an autopsy is pending to determine the cause of death. The individual had last been seen leaving his home in Santa Fe on the morning of 31 August 2022. His vehicle was later found abandoned near a trailhead, sparking a multi-agency search involving the FBI and the Department of Energy.
The laboratory, which conducts nuclear weapons research, initially faced criticism over its handling of the disappearance, with concerns that sensitive information could have been compromised. However, lab officials have repeatedly stated that the worker did not have access to classified materials in the hours before his disappearance. The case has now shifted from a missing person investigation to a death inquiry.
The laboratory said in a statement that it was cooperating fully with law enforcement and offered condolences to the family. The identity of the worker has not been released pending notification of relatives.
