A famous UFO expert, dubbed a real-life ‘X-Files investigator, has died following a battle with cancer.
Nick Pope, who examined UFO phenomena while employed at the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MOD), passed away at the age of 60 on Monday afternoon at his home in Tucson, Arizona.
His wife, Elizabeth Weiss, shared the loss of her husband on X, saying: ‘The last few weeks of his life, even as he suffered, he managed to do a few interviews from home.
‘I was so lucky to have met and to have married Nick. He was a wonderful husband. I loved him dearly.’
Pope announced that he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 esophageal cancer, a disease where malignant cells form in the tissue of the esophagus, back in February, noting it had metastasized to his liver.
The former MOD official led Britain’s so-called ‘UFO Desk’ for three years between 1991 and 1994.
He investigated UFO sightings, analyzed radar data and photos and briefed ministers on whether Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) posed a defense threat.
During that time, he reviewed case files on some of Britain’s most mysterious sightings, including the Rendlesham Forest incident, often dubbed ‘Britain’s Roswell,’ which occurred in 1980.
His wife, Elizabeth Weiss, shared the loss of her husband on X. ‘My heart is breaking,’ she said
‘A while ago, following some digestive issues, I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer,’ Pope wrote on February 12. ‘Unfortunately, it’s Stage 4 and has metastasized to my liver.
While I know that it’s kindness and hope that lead people to suggest healers and supposed miracle cures, and to say things like “fight it” and “you can beat it,” I’m afraid my diagnosis and my situation leave no doubt whatsoever: I can’t beat it.’
In the message, he reflected on his life, calling it ‘an amazing adventure.’
‘A 21-year career at the UK Ministry of Defence, where I got involved in subjects ranging from financial policy to counter-terrorism; from military policing to UAP,’ Pope continued.
‘And I saved six cows; it’s a long story. The things I’ve done, the places I’ve been, the people I’ve met, and the secrets I’ve been privy to. I wouldn’t have swapped it for the world.’
After leaving government service, his involvement in UFO investigations brought him to global attention, turning him into a frequent commentator on television news programs and documentaries.
He later worked as a consultant and spokesperson on UFO- and alien-themed films, television series and video games, earning the nickname the ‘real-life Fox Mulder’ from the 1990s hit series The X-Files.
The sci-fi mystery series, which ran from 1993 to 2002, follows FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as they investigate unsolved paranormal cases known as the X-Files.
Nick Pope , who examined UFO phenomena while employed at the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MOD), passed away at the age of 60 on Monday afternoon at his home in Tucson, Arizona
He earned the nickname the ‘real-life Fox Mulder’ from the 1990s hit series ‘The X-Files’
Pope recalled his wife with such admiration, saying: ‘She’s a real-life Agent Scully: a scientist, a skeptic and a redhead.
‘We met randomly in the lobby bar of the Fairmont Hotel in downtown San José (she was an anthropology professor at San José State University) in October 2010 and got married three months later.’
They applied for his Green Card and Elizabeth had him ‘shipped to the US, where Pope continued his public work on UFO investigations while appearing at conferences, live events and television productions, including serving as moderator for the touring show ‘Ancient Aliens Live.’
He remained active in media appearances and public events until shortly before stepping back from work due to declining health.
Pope concluded the post with: ‘ It’s all been amazing, and I’m grateful for the things I’ve done, not mournful for the things that I won’t now get to do. Per Aspera Ad Astra!’
