The Case of Ettore Majorana

The Enigma of Ettore Majorana: The Physicist Who Vanished into Thin Air

The name Ettore Majorana evokes one of the greatest mysteries of the 20th century: the abrupt and inexplicable disappearance of one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists of his generation. On March 25, 1938, the Italian scientist, only 31 years old, boarded a ship in Palermo, Sicily, bound for Naples. From that moment on, Majorana simply evaporated, leaving behind a trail of theories, enigmatic letters, and the frustration of authorities and scientists who would never find a definitive answer to his disappearance.

1. The Context and the Incident: Where, When, and How the Mystery Began

Ettore Majorana was a prominent figure in the field of nuclear physics. His theoretical contributions to the neutron and the positron were revolutionary, and he was considered an equal by giants like Enrico Fermi. Born in Catania, Sicily, in 1906, Majorana showed exceptional intellect from an early age, but also an introspective and reclusive nature.

The incident that sealed his fate, or at least the beginning of his seclusion, occurred in late March 1938. After a period of intense research and, according to reports, growing personal and professional anguish, Majorana communicated his intention to travel to Naples. He sent two letters, one to his uncle, Gino Majorana, and another to the director of the Institute of Physics at the University of Naples, Antonio Carrelli. In these letters, he seemed to apologize for something and expressed deep despair, suggesting a drastic act.

Shortly before his departure, Majorana withdrew all his savings, a considerable sum for the time, from his bank account in Rome. Subsequent investigations would confirm that he boarded the steamship "Città di Roma", heading for Naples. What happened after his disembarkation in Naples is the core of the enigma.

2. Timeline of Events

• 1906: Birth of Ettore Majorana in Catania, Sicily.
• 1920s-1930s: Academic training and rise as a theoretical physicist. Important publications on atomic structure and nuclear physics.
• 1933: Crucial contributions to the theory of the positron and the concept of the self-dual particle (Majorana particle), which today bears his name.
• February 1938: Majorana publishes his last scientific paper.
• March 25, 1938: Majorana sends enigmatic letters to his uncle and the director of the Institute of Physics in Naples, expressing despair and the possibility of an extreme act.
• March 25, 1938 (night): Majorana boards the steamship "Città di Roma" in Palermo, Sicily, bound for Naples.
• March 26, 1938: Majorana arrives in Naples. He meets with Antonio Carrelli, who describes the conversation as confused and depressed.
• March 27, 1938: Majorana is seen for the last time by his family, after a brief return to Catania. He reportedly spoke with his father about his departure.
• From March 26, 1938 onwards: Complete disappearance. No bank activity, no communication.
• 1955: Italian police officially declare Ettore Majorana missing.
• 2015: The Rome prosecutor's office reopens the investigation after new evidence emerges, but the investigation is later closed.

3. The Main Theories

The absence of concrete evidence has paved the way for a proliferation of theories, ranging from the plausible to the fantastic. Each attempts to fill the gaps left by the official investigation.

Theory of Suicide

• Logic: Based on the enigmatic letters sent by Majorana, in which he expressed despair and the possibility of a "great mistake." It is believed that the weight of his scientific discoveries, the destructive potential of nuclear physics applications, or a psychological collapse led him to a final act.
• Evidence: The letters, the withdrawal of money, the emotional state reported by people close to him.
• Blind Spots: The lack of any body, the absence of any more explicit farewell note, and the fact that he withdrew all his money, which is not typical of someone planning immediate suicide.

Theory of Voluntary Disappearance (Monastic Life or Reclusion)

• Logic: Some suggest that Majorana, disillusioned with the world and the potential military use of his research, chose to disappear voluntarily, perhaps seeking a life of reclusion or even entering a monastery. The possibility of him becoming a monk is fueled by a later testimony.
• Evidence: His introverted nature and apparent dissatisfaction with the direction of science. A document, allegedly written by Majorana and found in a church in Calabria, suggests this possibility.
• Blind Spots: The absence of any proof that he actually became a monk or began a life of reclusion.

Theory of Involvement in Secret Projects (US or Nazi)

• Logic: Given his genius and the context of the arms race preceding World War II, conspiracy theories suggest that Majorana may have been recruited by foreign powers, such as the United States or Nazi Germany, to work on their nuclear projects.
• Evidence: The need for top scientists for the development of nuclear weapons.
• Blind Spots: No solid documentary or testimonial evidence has ever emerged to corroborate this hypothesis. The idea that he would have voluntarily enlisted in such projects is contradicted by his implicit pacifism.

Theory of Escape with a Woman or to Argentina

• Logic: A less prominent theory, but present in the archives, is that Majorana fled with an unknown woman or settled in Argentina, a common destination for many European intellectuals at the time.
• Evidence: Rumors and speculations of encounters with women before his disappearance.
• Blind Spots: Completely speculative, with no concrete clues.

Theory of Accidental Death or Murder

• Logic: Although less discussed publicly, the possibility of an accident during a trip or even a murder for unknown reasons cannot be entirely ruled out.
• Evidence: The absence of a body could indicate accidental drowning or removal.
• Blind Spots: There are no indications of enemies or activities that could lead to a murder.

4. Controversies and Blind Spots

The official investigation into Majorana's disappearance is marked by a series of inconsistencies and gaps that fuel the persistence of the mystery.

• Enigmatic Letters: The ambiguity of the farewell letters is a central point. The interpretation of "despair" and "regret" allows for multiple readings, from suicide to escape. The police allegedly took too long to investigate the content of the letters.
• 1938 Police Report: Initial reports from the Italian police, which concluded with the suicide hypothesis, were criticized for lack of rigor and superficiality.
• Disinformation and Rumors: Over the decades, various unverified pieces of information have circulated, complicating the search for facts.
• Carrelli's Testimony: The account of physicist Antonio Carrelli about the meeting in Naples is crucial, but his description of Majorana as "disturbed" and "confused" is subjective and does not offer details that lead to an objective conclusion.
• "Majorana's Testament": In 2008, an Italian researcher, Franco Giannelli, presented a document dated 1955, found in Calabria, which was allegedly Majorana's confession, describing his reclusive life in a monastery. The authenticity and direct link to Majorana were never fully proven, but the document reignited the debate.
• Reopening of the Investigation in 2015: The Rome prosecutor's office reopened the case in 2015 after the emergence of new evidence, possibly related to the "testament" and testimonies, but the investigation was closed again in 2017 due to a lack of definitive proof.

5. Curiosities and Legacy

The case of Ettore Majorana has transcended the scientific and police spheres, becoming a cultural icon of mystery and lost genius.

• The Majorana Particle: Majorana's greatest posthumous scientific contribution is the "Majorana particle," an elementary particle that is its own antiparticle. This theory, although revolutionary, only gained recognition decades after his disappearance.
• Inspiration for Fiction: The enigma of Majorana has inspired books, films, and documentaries, exploring the various facets of his life and disappearance. The figure of the tormented genius who fades from the world continues to fascinate.
• Current Status: Officially, Ettore Majorana is considered missing. The lack of a resolution to his case keeps him alive in the popular imagination and as an eternal challenge for historians, scientists, and investigators. The mystery persists, a testament to the fragility of genius and the unfathomable depths of the human mind.