FBI Offers $25,000 Reward for Missing Native Americans

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has set a new minimum reward for unsolved cases involving missing or murdered persons in Native American communities. The agency announced that the reward amount for those who provide information will be at least $25,000. The new policy was launched to bring more information into investigations of the high‑rate violence incidents in Native American communities.

More Than 50 Files Covered

The new $25,000 minimum covers more than 50 unsolved murder and missing‑person files in Native American communities. According to an Associated Press review, most of the files are no older than ten years. However, about a dozen cases have remained unsolved for over twenty years.

Nearly 1,500 Cases in FBI Records

The FBI is conducting investigations related to federal crimes in about 200 Native American reservations in the United States. According to National Crime Information Center records, the number of active files concerning missing Native Americans approached 1,500 by the end of 2025. However, not all of these files are considered within the scope of federal investigations.

Will the Reward Increase Restore Confidence?

Family members of the missing and murdered and experts following the case are cautious about whether the increase in the reward amount will open the door to new tips. Some families and experts say that people living in reservation areas may hesitate to share the information they know because of distrust toward federal authorities and fear of possible retaliation.

Reward of 25,000 Dollars in Patrick Carlow's File

The death of 73‑year‑old Patrick Carlow Sr., who lived in Pine Ridge Reservation, is also among the cases whose reward amounts have been increased. Carlow was found dead in his home in 2023. His family said they received more calls after the reward in the file was raised from $10,000 to $25,000 in July. However, the investigation has not yet reached a conclusion.

Families Awaiting a Response

Carlow's daughter Lisa Carlow expressed the disappointment caused by her family's hope in the investigation and the subsequent lack of results. The family believes that people who have information about the incident may be in the area, but they do not speak to authorities out of fear. The Carlow family argues that simply increasing the reward may not be sufficient.

The Mona Renee Vallo Case

In the Laguna Pueblo region of New Mexico, the family of Mona Renee Vallo, who died in 2022, is hopeful about the new reward program. Cecil Jackson, her 43‑year‑old son, said his mother was found dead after a suspicious hit‑and‑run on historic Route 66. Vallo was a member of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. Her family said they have not received any new developments in the FBI investigation for a long time.

The Two Brothers' File Is Also in the News

Among the FBI’s Indian Country files is the murder of the non‑Native American brothers Matthew and Philip Reagan. The brothers from Ohio were killed on Navajo Nation land while traveling to California. The FBI initially announced a $5,000 reward for anyone who could provide information. Later, the reward was doubled to $25,000.

Families Want More Support

Matthew Reagan’s wife, Faye Wurstner‑Reagan, said she doubts a $25,000 reward would persuade anyone in a small community to talk. Families are calling for more law‑enforcement resources to keep the investigation from cooling and for officers to be assigned to maintain regular contact with relatives.

FBI Highlights the Difficulty of the Investigations

FBI spokesperson Brooke Brennan said that investigations in Native American lands have become complicated due to remote areas, limited resources, and the agencies' heavy workload. The agency aims to increase the flow of information on unsolved cases with its new reward policy.

Justice Is the Families' Sole Demand

Families who have been waiting for news from their loved ones for years, or who seek the investigation of murders, fear that their files will be forgotten. While officials say investigations are ongoing, families demand concrete outcomes for their missing and murdered relatives and insist on justice.