A Fairfax County native, Gloss grew up in a prominent military family. His mother previously served more than 30 years in U.S. naval intelligence and was the first woman to command the U.S. Naval Academy’s cadet corps. His father, Larry Gloss, is a U.S. Navy veteran who served during Operation Desert Storm and now works in cybersecurity, according to the investigation.
Gloss also became affiliated with the Rainbow Family, an international group that promotes “peace and love on Earth.”
The investigation revealed that during his travels, Gloss began wearing a robe resembling religious attire.
In interviews with Istories, friends described his growing disillusionment with the United States. Social media posts showed increasing criticism of American policies, including one instance in which he burned an American flag. In another post, he appeared putting a Soviet Union flag on a hut he had made from branches. Friends said Gloss had begun to openly support Russia and speak favorably of a "multipolar world," a theme common in Russian propaganda.
Gloss moved to Russia in August 2023, initially claiming plans to engage in ecological projects and language immersion. Shortly afterward, he enrolled in a Russian military recruitment program. He underwent training near Moscow and joined Russia’s 137th Airborne Regiment.
Fellow soldiers told Istories that Gloss believed he could contribute to Russia’s military campaign without directly engaging in combat. The report also said that he may have hoped to obtain Russian citizenship. In his final known communications, Gloss mentioned harsh winter conditions and said he hoped to continue traveling once he had earned some money.
The exact circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear. Istories reported that Gloss died in a Russian offensive during intense fighting near Soledar and was among more than 1,500 foreign nationals recruited by Russia since the war began.
In interviews with the media, Gloss’s family members cited Michael’s struggles with mental illness.
In a statement to media outlets, the CIA said it views Michael’s death as a private family matter, not a national security issue. "The entire CIA family is heartbroken for their loss," the statement read.
In his obituary published in Fairfax County, family members urged donations to mental health organizations, expressing hope that their loss might help prevent similar losses in other families.