Milwaukee Attorney Pledges $100,000 Reward, Boosts Federal Offer in Guthrie Case

Michael Hupy, a Milwaukee civil attorney and president of Milwaukee Crime Stoppers, pledged $100,000 and says he already sent the check to the local Crime Stoppers operation in southern Arizona, variously identified as Tucson Crime Stoppers, Pima County Crime Stoppers or 88-Crime. Hupy’s donation is in addition to a $100,000 reward already being offered by the FBI in the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC “Today” host Savannah Guthrie; investigators believe Guthrie was taken against her will from her Tucson residence.

Investigators and federal agents continue forensic work after a glove recovered roughly two miles from Guthrie’s home was identified by the FBI as appearing to match gloves worn by a person seen on doorbell surveillance video. Authorities are awaiting DNA results from that glove as they process thousands of incoming leads; officials have reported that more than 18,000 tips have been called in to the FBI during the investigation.

Hupy said he turned to Crime Stoppers because he was frustrated with how the investigation and reward process was being handled. He told reporters, "I was just kind of appalled that they never enlisted Crime Stoppers help at the beginning or much sooner, and I finally decided if no one else is going to do it, I better do it." He added, "She’s an 84-year-old woman and I don’t like the way the investigation and reward is being handled. I think it could have been done much better. I think if the $100,000 was put up through crime stoppers - we could be further along."

Crime Stoppers programs allow anonymous tips and assign reference numbers to protect tipsters; Hupy described the payment process as one where "they’re sent to a location where they’re paid and no one ever knows their name, and if somebody has a phony tip, they’re not going to get a reward in advance because there has to be an arrest." Hupy said anonymity through local Crime Stoppers, he believes, may encourage information that the FBI reward structure could deter if personal information is required.

Authorities continue to urge anyone with information to contact investigators. Tips can be sent to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or to Tucson-area Crime Stoppers at 520-882-7463; the local Crime Stoppers group operating under the 88-Crime name is handling Hupy’s donation. Law enforcement says DNA testing and tip vetting remain active priorities as officials work toward any arrests or formal charges in the Guthrie disappearance.