Leading Authority on UFOs and 'Real-Life Fox Mulder' Dies at 60
Nick Pope, regular guest on History Channel's Ancient Aliens and former U.K. Ministry of Defence UFO Desk official, often called the real-life Fox Mulder, has passed away at age 60 after a short battle with esophageal cancer.
His wife Elizabeth confirmed the news on Facebook on April 6. "My heart is breaking -- Nick passed away this afternoon at our home," she wrote. "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 had announced his diagnosis on February 12, detailing how his esophageal cancer had reached Stage 4 and spread to his liver. He was characteristically clear-eyed about it. "I can't beat it," he wrote, pushing back gently on those offering miracle cures and fighting talk.
He ended it with a generous goodbye. He reflected on a 21-year MoD career spanning financial policy, counter-terrorism, military policing, and UAP investigation. A second career in media, consulting on films, TV shows, and video games. And a tribute to his wife. "The true highlight, of course, is life with my wonderful, beautiful and incredibly smart wife, Elizabeth. She's a real-life Agent Scully: a scientist, a skeptic and a redhead."
He aptly signed off with a celestial Latin phrase “Per Aspera Ad Astra” — through hardships to the stars.
Pope's career spanned four decades, from his time at the MoD through to his years as a familiar face on Ancient Aliens. He also authored several books, including two autobiographies and three novels. He was born in England on September 19, 1965, and later settled in Tucson, Arizona with Elizabeth.Ancient Aliens paid tribute on Facebook: "We are saddened by the passing of Nick Pope who was a beloved member of the Ancient Aliens family. He challenged us to look beyond what we know and question what may be possible. He will be deeply missed."