In 1938, the Italian physicist Ettore Majorana vanished without a trace, raising speculation about whether this brilliant mind, often likened to Einstein and Fermi, took his own life, opted for a monastic existence, or even engaged in secretive work on Nazi weaponry.

Their initial encounter occurred in the autumn of 1927 at the Sapienza University of Rome, where the then 26-year-old Enrico Fermi had just assumed the chair of physics. His most gifted student, 21-year-old Ettore Majorana, stood out among his peers. Fast forward eleven years: Fermi was awarded the Nobel Prize in Stockholm for his groundbreaking work in neutron reactions, while Italy launched a desperate search for the missing Majorana, who was last spotted on March 25, 1938, on the ship "Tirrenia," traveling between Palermo and Naples. Since that day, he has completely vanished.

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Born in 1906 in Catania, Majorana displayed remarkable mathematical prowess from a young age. Although he initially studied engineering, he soon shifted to physics, coinciding with a golden era for the discipline in Italy during the late 1920s. Alongside Fermi, other notable figures included Franco Rasetti, Emilio Segrè (a Nobel laureate), and Bruno Pontecorvo, all of whom became known as the "boys from Panisperna Street." Majorana was indeed among this illustrious group.

Over 80 years have passed since the enigmatic disappearance of Majorana, yet only recently did Italian authorities formally close the case. They concluded that he had relocated to Venezuela and lived under a false identity from 1955 to 1959. However, the crucial question remains unanswered: why did this exceptional physicist, whom Fermi likened to Galileo and Newton, abandon Italy? The fate of his final notes also continues to elude investigators.

Antonio Carrelli, the director of the Physics Institute, received Majorana's last letters, each filled with puzzling revelations. In the first, dispatched on March 25 from Naples, he stated, “I have made an irreversible decision. There is no selfishness in this, but I realize the inconvenience my sudden disappearance may cause you and the students.” The next day, from the "Grand Hotel Sole" in Palermo, Majorana sent a telegram asking Carrelli not to take his previous correspondence seriously. A few hours later, he sent an express mail:

> “The sea rejected me, and tomorrow I return to the hotel ‘Bologna,’ perhaps I will be traveling with this letter.”

Majorana indicated his intention to resign from teaching, promising to provide explanations upon his return. Unfortunately, he never did, and he has remained missing ever since.

Despite Benito Mussolini's direct interest, offering a reward of 30,000 lire for information regarding the physicist’s whereabouts—an amount significant enough given the average salary of less than 1,000 lire—no trace of Majorana was found, neither living nor deceased.

During a search of the "Bologna" hotel, authorities discovered a letter in which Majorana instructed his family not to mourn excessively: “If you wish to adhere to customs, wear black for no more than three days.” This remark suggested the possibility of his intention to commit suicide—potentially by jumping into the sea. Yet, the ocean did not yield his body.

Doubts linger regarding whether Majorana actually reached Palermo or boarded the "Tirrenia" vessel returning to Naples. While Professor Vittorio Strazzieri claimed to have seen him on board, he did not know Majorana personally. Another passenger, identified as Charles Price, was never interrogated.

Notably, just two months before his disappearance, Majorana requested the withdrawal of his share of his father's inheritance, collecting the funds just days before his trip to Palermo. He had also received a substantial scholarship payment around the same time.

Furthermore, Majorana's passport also went missing, suggesting he might not have intended to end his life in the manner speculated. There are theories that he may have consciously planned his disappearance. A peculiar figure known as the "dog man" appeared in Sicily in early 1940, solving mathematical and physical problems for local students. Some speculated he might be Majorana, due to a scar that matched the physicist's and a cane inscribed with Majorana's birthdate. However, the inquiry into this lead was inconclusive.

One of the most popular theories posits that Majorana fled to Argentina, a claim supported by Erasmo Recami, a biographer of Majorana. This idea gained traction in the 1950s, following alleged sightings in Buenos Aires. However, Majorana’s passport was only valid for Europe, complicating the logistics of such a journey.

There is also speculation that Majorana might have sought refuge in Nazi Germany. He had previously visited the country in 1933 for a scientific scholarship, where he met prominent figures in quantum mechanics. Despite his reserved nature, Majorana was not oblivious to the socio-political climate and expressed admiration for the order established by the Nazis in letters home.

In 2011, a popular TV program investigating missing persons stumbled upon a lead regarding a resident of Venezuela who went by the name "Bini." An individual named Francesco Fasani recalled having met him in the 1950s, describing him as a polite and reserved man who drove a yellow Studebaker full of notebooks. This connection sparked a renewed investigation, suggesting that "Bini" could indeed be Majorana. However, despite the efforts of Italian authorities, conclusive evidence remains elusive.

The mystery of Ettore Majorana's disappearance continues to captivate historians and scientists alike. His lost notes, presumed to contain groundbreaking research, represent a significant void in the annals of physics. While the theories proliferate, Majorana's ultimate fate remains shrouded in enigma, leaving a legacy of intrigue and speculation in the scientific community.