Milwaukee attorney doubles reward in Guthrie case, offering $100k of his own money

PHOENIX — The reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has doubled after a Milwaukee-based attorney pledged $100,000 of his own money to help solve the case.

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Michael Hupy, a civil attorney in Wisconsin and president of Crime Stoppers in his community, confirmed he has sent a six-figure check to the Tucson Crime Stoppers — also known as 88-Crime — in hopes of encouraging someone with key information to come forward. The organization operates locally in Southern Arizona and allows tipsters to remain anonymous.

“I’ve sent them a check today,” Hupy said. When asked whether he fronted the money himself, he responded, “Oh, yeah, that’s the only way we do it.”

Hupy said he has seen firsthand how significant cash rewards can be in cracking difficult cases. In the past, he personally paid $75,000 in rewards tied to tips that helped solve the murders of two young girls.

The donation comes as the investigation into Guthrie’s disappearance intensifies. According to authorities, more than 15,000 tips have been reported to the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. Investigators have executed multiple federal search warrants and interviewed several individuals, who were later released.

Seventeen days into the investigation, no suspects or persons of interest have been publicly named.

Hupy said his contribution is structured to ensure the reward is paid only if results are achieved.

“This way, there is no giving a Bitcoin in advance and having someone cheat you out of money. It’s paid for results, and that’s what we can do. So I said, I’m going to step in. It’s been too long,” he said.

Though the case is nearly 2,000 miles from his home base in Milwaukee, Hupy said he, like millions of others following the story, feels for the Guthrie family and wants to help.

Instead of remaining on the sidelines, he said he hopes the increased reward will generate the break investigators need.

“Hang in there. We’re trying something new here, and it might pan out. I hope it does,” he said, addressing Guthrie’s loved ones.

The FBI’s existing $100,000 reward remains in place. Anyone with information can contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Tucson Crime Stoppers by calling 520-882-7463 or visiting 88CRIME.org.

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