Overview
Former Australian Defence Force (ADF) Major General David Griggs vanished on 2 March 2026 while travelling from Canberra to a private residence near Wollongong. Griggs, who retired in 2022 after a 38‑year career that included senior roles in the ADF’s classified Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) research program, is the latest high‑profile figure linked to government‑sponsored UFO investigations to disappear under unexplained circumstances. Investigative journalist Ross Coulthart described the case as a “grave crisis,” warning that the lack of transparent information could indicate deliberate suppression of classified data.
Background
General Griggs served as head of the Defence Science and Technology Group’s UAP Task Force from 2018 to 2020, overseeing the collection and analysis of anomalous aerial sightings reported by military pilots. In 2021 he testified before the Australian Senate’s Joint Committee on the National Security and Intelligence, urging the government to declassify select findings to improve public confidence. Since his retirement, Griggs has spoken publicly about the need for greater oversight of UAP research, appearing on podcasts and authoring op‑eds that called for an independent investigative body.
His disappearance follows a pattern of increased scrutiny of UAP programs worldwide. The U.S. Department of Defense released three declassified videos in 2020, and a 2023 congressional hearing led to the establishment of the All‑Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). In Australia, the Senate inquiry released a partial redacted report in late 2025, acknowledging that “some data remains classified for national security reasons.” Griggs’ knowledge of these sensitive files has placed him at the centre of ongoing debates about transparency and security.
Current Investigation
Police in New South Wales opened a missing‑person investigation on 3 March, classifying the case as “non‑suspicious” pending further evidence. The last known communication from Griggs was a text to his wife confirming his arrival at a rest stop near Kiama; no CCTV footage or vehicle telemetry has been publicly released. A senior officer in the ADF declined to comment on the operational status of the UAP program, citing “official confidentiality.”
The family has hired private investigators, who have appealed for any witnesses who may have seen Griggs after his last confirmed stop. A spokesperson for the Australian Federal Police (AFP) stated that the investigation is ongoing and that “all leads are being pursued, including any potential links to his prior work on classified projects.”
Reactions
Ross Coulthart, author of The UFO Conspiracy and a longtime reporter on defence‑related anomalies, issued a statement on 9 March:
“The disappearance of a man who held the keys to some of the most sensitive UAP data in the Southern Hemisphere is not a routine missing‑person case. It is a grave crisis that demands immediate, independent scrutiny.”
Human‑rights groups have also weighed in, urging the government to ensure that Griggs’ family receives full cooperation and that any potential obstruction of justice be investigated. The Australian Senate’s Defence Committee announced it would request an update on the case at its next meeting on 15 April.
Implications
If Griggs possessed undisclosed evidence about anomalous aerial phenomena, his disappearance could have far‑reaching consequences for both national security and public trust. Analysts note that the incident may pressure the ADF to clarify the scope of its UAP research and the protocols for handling classified information held by former officials.
Conversely, experts caution against jumping to conclusions. Dr. Emma Liu, a senior lecturer in security studies at the University of Sydney, remarked:
“While the timing is certainly concerning, we must differentiate between speculation and verified facts. An exhaustive investigation is essential before attributing motive or suggesting a cover‑up.”
The case remains open, with law enforcement, the family, and independent observers awaiting further developments. As the investigation proceeds, the broader conversation about transparency in UAP research—already intensified by recent international disclosures—continues to evolve, underscoring the delicate balance between national security and the public’s right to know.
