MISSING PERSON
CASE #: 2025-56
Monica Reza
Also Known As:
Monica Jacinto
Status:
Open
Date of Last Contact:
Date of Last Contact:
Jurisdiction:
Missing From:
Los Angeles, California
Summary:
Monica Reza, 60, a NASA JPL materials scientist and co-inventor of the Mondaloy rocket engine superalloy, vanished June 22, 2025 while hiking near Mount Waterman in Angeles National Forest. She was last seen smiling and waving to a companion approximately 30 feet away, then disappeared within seconds. An extensive week-long search found only a beanie 600 feet below the trail. In April 2026, the FBI opened a federal investigation linking her case to 10 other missing or deceased scientists.
Vital Statistics
Circumstances of Disappearance:
Monica Jacinto Reza, 60, served as Director of Materials Processing at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, and previously worked at Aerojet Rocketdyne, where she co-invented Mondaloy, a nickel-based superalloy used in rocket engines. On the morning of June 22, 2025, Monica went hiking on the Mount Waterman Trail in the San Gabriel Mountains area of the Angeles National Forest with companions from her yoga group. The group departed from the 6,000-foot Day Use Parking Lot on Angeles Crest Highway at approximately 9:10 a.m. At some point on the trail, Monica fell approximately 30 feet behind her companion. Her companion turned to check on her; Monica smiled and waved to indicate she was fine. When the companion looked back shortly after, she was gone. Monica was carrying a backpack with several liters of water and was known to be an experienced hiker familiar with the area. Search and rescue teams from across Southern California responded, including Altadena Mountain Rescue, Antelope Valley SAR, Malibu SAR, and teams from Orange County and San Bernardino County. FLIR thermal imaging aircraft scanned the terrain along with scent dogs. On June 23, 2025, a beanie believed to belong to Monica was discovered approximately 600 feet below the trail in Devil's Canyon ravine. A scent dog was deployed to the ravine but lost the trail. Acting Captain Ryan A. Vienna of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department asked the public not to conduct independent searches, stating the terrain was 'highly technical and difficult for inexperienced hikers.' The initial active search phase concluded on June 29, 2025, after approximately one week, with no trace of Monica found. The investigation was transferred to the LASD Homicide Bureau's Missing Persons Unit, led by Detectives Shannon Rincon and Richie Sanchez. In April 2026, the FBI, Department of Energy, and White House launched a formal investigation into 11 scientists with high-level security clearances who had died or gone missing in recent years, including Monica Reza. The House Oversight Committee issued formal notices to the FBI, NASA, and the Departments of Energy and Defense, demanding briefings by April 27, 2026. No confirmed connection between the cases has been established, and no foul play has been confirmed in Monica's disappearance.
Additional Details:
Classification: At Risk Female, White, 60 years old 4'11", 101 lbs., gray hair, brown eyes Last seen wearing red long sleeve shirt, green hiking pants, hiking shoes Monica Reza is Director of the Materials Processing Group at NASA JPL.
Case Last Updated:
Timeline of Events
The initial active search phase concludes after approximately one week with no trace of Monica found. The investigation is transferred to the LASD Homicide Bureau's Missing Persons Unit.
A beanie believed to belong to Monica is discovered approximately 600 feet below the trail in Devil's Canyon ravine. A scent dog is deployed to the area but loses the trail.
Date of Last Contact / Last Seen
The House Oversight Committee issues formal notices to the FBI, NASA, and the Departments of Energy and Defense, demanding briefings by April 27, 2026 regarding the deaths and disappearances of scientists with security clearances.
The FBI, Department of Energy, and White House launch a formal investigation into 11 scientists with high-level security clearances who have died or gone missing in recent years, including Monica Reza.
Associated Persons
Vicky J. (Mother) - Deceased
Anjali G. (Person of Interest) - Living
Ashwin K. (Person of Interest) - Living
Ruben J. (Father) - Deceased
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