U.S. Renews $6 Million Rewards To Find American Missing In Afghanistan
On Friday, May 15, 2026, the U.S. renewed two rewards totaling up to $6 million for information leading to the location, recovery and return of Paul Edwin Overby Jr., an American who vanished in Afghanistan's Khost province.[1]
The FBI is offering up to $1 million and the State Department's Rewards for Justice program is offering up to $5 million for information that leads to Overby's location, recovery and return.[1] Assistant Director in Charge Darren Cox said the FBI has worked the case for more than a decade and will continue coordinating with partner agencies on all credible leads.[1]
Overby vanished in May 2014 while researching a follow-up to his book "Holy Blood" and considering crossing into Pakistan from Afghanistan's Khost province.[1] The renewed rewards come as federal investigators urge anyone with information to step forward to help resolve a case that has now stretched across 12 years.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Friday, May 15, 2026, the U.S. reupped two rewards totaling up to $6 million in the Paul Edwin Overby Jr. case.
- The FBI is offering up to $1 million and the State Department's Rewards for Justice program is offering up to $5 million for information leading to Overby's location, recovery and return.
- Overby, a freelance writer who authored the book "Holy Blood," vanished in May 2014 in Afghanistan's Khost province while researching a follow-up and considering crossing into Pakistan.
- Assistant Director in Charge Darren Cox said the FBI has worked on the case for over a decade and will continue coordinating with partner agencies on all credible leads.
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