The investigation started in December 2018 after Katelyn Allers and Ashley Watson came forward with allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior, including groping (described as "creepy" rather than assault) and attempts at persuasion. It also resurfaced an allegation of rape from Tchiya Amet in 2014.

DeGrasse Tyson said he remembered the two newly disclosed incidents differently, but acknowledged that he might have made the women uncomfortable. He more staunchly objected to the rape allegation, stating that Amet didn't actually remember what happened and that she made an "assumption" of wrongdoing. At the same time, he also recognized that it boiled down to evidence and encouraged an investigation.