Ex-FBI agent criticizes Guthrie reward as too low: ‘This is insane’
The Hill
by Ryan ManciniFebruary 13, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A former FBI agent has sharply criticized the federal government for setting what he called an "unbelievably low" reward of $10,000 for information leading to the whereabouts of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie. The agent compared the current reward unfavorably to the much higher赏金 offered in the historic Lindbergh baby kidnapping case, which reached $25,000, a significant sum at the time. He expressed frustration with what he described as a lack of prioritization by authorities, calling the decision "insane" and suggesting it undermines efforts to solve the case.
The agent’s comments highlight the growing public scrutiny surrounding the Guthrie family's decades-long search for Nancy Guthrie, who has been missing since 1976. He emphasized that such cases often rely on tips from anonymous sources, and a low reward may deter individuals from coming forward. The comparison to the Lindbergh kidnapping, one of the most famous crimes in U.S. history, underscores the frustration with what he sees as inconsistent federal responses to high-profile missing persons cases.
This critique raises broader questions about how the government prioritizes such cases and allocates resources. Critics argue that the low reward reflects a lack of attention to missing person cases, particularly those involving prominent individuals or their family members. The agent’s comments also tap into a larger conversation about public perception of law enforcement priorities and the value placed on solving cold cases. For readers interested in politics and justice, this issue highlights concerns about resource allocation and the importance of incentives in criminal investigations.
Verticals
politicsnews
Originally published on The Hill on 2/13/2026