$60K reward in case of Ariz. park ranger missing since 1980

WILLCOX, Ariz. – The National Park Service has raised its reward to $60,000 in the case of a Chiricahua National Monument ranger who went missing more than 38 years ago.

Authorities say 41-year-old Paul Fugate was working in the monument’s visitor centre in southeastern Arizona on Jan. 13, 1980.

He left the building to hike a park trail and hasn’t been seen since.

Authorities say Fugate was wearing his Park Service uniform with a gold-colored ranger badge.

Search teams combed the surrounding area extensively multiple times, but found no sign of Fugate.

The reward fund grew to $20,000 the first few years after his disappearance.

The Park Service increased its reward Tuesday to $60,000 for information leading to Fugate’s whereabouts or the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for his disappearance.