FBI raises reward to $100,000 in Nancy Guthrie case, releases new images and detailed suspect guidance

The FBI has increased the reward to $100,000 for information leading to the location of Nancy Guthrie, escalating its public appeal as investigators widened the search and released new images and identification details aimed at generating fresh tips. The updated reward and new materials come as the case remains a national focus, with law enforcement asking the public to look closely at specific items and movements that could help narrow where Guthrie went and who may have taken her.

In a public update reported by Reuters, investigators released new photos and emphasized a set of details they believe could be crucial, including a backpack description and other identifying features tied to the person they are trying to locate. The bureau also urged people to review doorbell footage, trail cameras, business security video, and vehicle cameras from the relevant timeframe, a strategy increasingly used in major missing-person investigations when early leads stall and traditional canvassing produces limited results.

The renewed push reflects two realities common in high-profile cases: the need to keep public attention from fading and the value of reintroducing “actionable” specifics that could spark a recognition moment. Investigators have asked for tips from people who may have seen Guthrie or someone resembling the suspect description in the hours and days after she disappeared, and they are especially focused on movements around roads, parking areas, and travel corridors that could suggest an attempted getaway route.

At the same time, the case has drawn scrutiny because of reported friction between agencies and questions about evidence access. A separate Reuters report said investigators have faced complications related to access and coordination, an issue that can complicate timelines and slow down follow-up when tips surge and multiple departments are working parallel leads. In major cases, even small delays in sharing video, phone data, or physical evidence can push investigators into a reactive posture rather than a proactive one.

Law enforcement agencies typically respond to that kind of public attention by tightening messaging and emphasizing verifiable details — the exact backpack, clothing features, vehicle descriptions, or timestamps — to help tip lines separate credible leads from noise. Reuters reported that investigators have encouraged the public not to assume someone else has already reported a key detail, a frequent theme when reward announcements trigger thousands of calls. Many cases have turned on one overlooked piece of information: a short dashcam clip, a single store receipt, or a witness who initially dismissed a sighting as insignificant.

Officials have not announced an arrest. They have also not disclosed information that would confirm whether Guthrie left voluntarily or was taken, a distinction investigators often avoid making early when either conclusion could deter witnesses or reduce the flow of tips. For families and communities, however, the reward increase is often interpreted as a sign the case has reached a point where investigators believe outside information — the public’s footage, memory, or a reluctant witness — may be the fastest path to answers.