Feds double Nancy Guthrie reward as former FBI agents suggest they’re seeking an insider tip

TUCSON, Ariz. — The FBI’s determination to summation the reward for accusation connected Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts is drafting investigation from aggregate erstwhile FBI officials, who accidental the determination reflects some strategy and investigative progression astir 2 weeks into the case.

Retired Supervisory Special Agent of the FBI Scott Duffey told Fox News Digital that the summation whitethorn beryllium designed to people idiosyncratic adjacent to whoever is responsible.

"I judge this is the close clip to summation the reward," Duffey said. "My content is the FBI started precocious to pull a household member, friend, oregon workfellow of the attackers. The nationalist is typically determination to assistance careless of an award."

Drawing connected his acquisition moving fugitive cases involving smaller rewards — typically betwixt $2,500 and $5,000 — Duffey said invaluable tips often came from insiders.

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People locomotion their dogs past Nancy Guthrie's location moments aft the FBI released surveillance images connected Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, successful Tucson, Ariz. (Ty ONeil/AP Photo)

"When I worked crimes with lower-level reward amounts, the contacts were from friends oregon household members. This was typically successful fugitive work," helium said.

He noted that the FBI’s Top Ten Most Wanted database carries million-dollar rewards for the aforesaid reason.

"You are seeking ‘inside’ information," Duffey said.

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While leads successful the Guthrie lawsuit look steady, Duffey cautioned they whitethorn not beryllium meaningful.

"Leads are steady, but astir apt bogus leads oregon leads that are considered small value," helium said.

He besides emphasized that reward wealth unsocial does not lick cases, pointing to a Brown University lawsuit that was yet resolved due to the fact that idiosyncratic "just did the close thing," not due to the fact that of reward money.

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The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for accusation starring to the betterment of Nancy Guthrie. A poster was released by the bureau connected Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (FBI)

Former FBI cause Nicole Parker said expanding the reward is fundamentally astir motivating stronger tips.

"So radical are much inclined to springiness much accusation due to the fact that if they get much money, past it mightiness beryllium worthy it for them," Parker said. "They’re hoping to make much quality, credible tips that mightiness pb to the apprehension and the determination of Nancy Guthrie. And that’s each it comes down to."

Parker besides suggested the determination whitethorn antagonistic extracurricular attempts to monetize accusation — referencing a idiosyncratic who allegedly sought Bitcoin successful speech for details.

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Former FBI supervisory peculiar cause Joe Cardinale described the summation not arsenic desperation, but arsenic a earthy escalation.

"It’s conscionable a progression of events," Cardinale said. "You’re present into time 13, astir 2 weeks into this investigation. We inactive bash not person Nancy Guthrie back."

Cardinale said expanding the reward whitethorn punctual radical to re-check information footage and reconsider tiny details.

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"Increasing it conscionable makes radical privation to spell retired there, look astatine their cameras more, bash what they person to bash and say, ‘Listen, I’m going to cheque my cameras. I’m going to spot what happens.’"

He besides addressed speculation surrounding the Bitcoin demand.

"If I person information, this is however this works," Cardinale explained. "You interaction the FBI. They support it quiet. If your accusation leads to the apprehension of that person, you’re assigned a number, and you get that money."

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He noted that morganatic reward procedures forestall extortion attempts.

"If idiosyncratic is demanding Bitcoin upfront and doesn’t person information, they tin beryllium arrested for extortion," helium said.

Cardinale besides pointed to investigative developments connected the ground.

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FBI agents canvass homes adjacent Nancy Guthrie's location successful Tucson, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. Guthrie was past seen connected Saturday nighttime arsenic an probe into her disappearance continues. (Kat Ramirez for Fox News Digital)

"They’re extending the perimeter of their search," helium said, suggesting investigators whitethorn beryllium moving to destruct the anticipation that different idiosyncratic seen adjacent a vehicle, perchance carrying 2 backpacks, is connected.

If that idiosyncratic was located miles distant from the archetypal scene, Cardinale said investigators would request to regularisation it out.

"They should beryllium utilizing dogs, drones, helicopters if they person to, and bash grid searches," helium said. "This clip they’ll beryllium looking for grounds on the mode arsenic well."

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Cardinale besides noted investigators look to beryllium cautiously protecting forensic details, including measurements and carnal comparisons gathered from surveillance footage.

"They don’t privation anybody knowing what they’re zeroing successful on," helium said.

Nancy Guthrie disappearance timeline:

January 31, 2026

Between 9:30–9:45 p.m. – Family drops Nancy disconnected astatine home

9:50 p.m. – Garage doorway closes (per authorities)

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February 1, 2026

1:47 a.m. – Doorbell camera disconnects

2:12 a.m. – Security camera detects motion

2:28 a.m. – Pacemaker disconnects from telephone application

11:56 a.m. – Family checks connected Nancy aft she misses play religion livestream gathering

12:03 p.m. — 911 called

12:15 p.m. — sheriff’s deputies get astatine home

Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send communicative tips to [email protected].