The disappearances and deaths of at least 10 people tied to sensitive US research have drawn scrutiny from online sleuths and now federal investigators. But for grieving relatives, all the wild speculation is "disgusting".

Carl Grillmair "would laugh" at the conspiracy theories about his killing, says his widow.

"I think it's absolute nonsense," says Louise Grillmair. "I mean, there's the facts, and they're out there."

Her 67-year-old husband was gunned down at their Llano, California, home in February.

Grillmair's alleged killer, a 29-year-old local man, Freddy Snyder, has been charged with murder and burglary and is due in court next week for his arraignment.