The FBI is putting up a reward of up to $25,000 for information that could lead investigators to the remains of Ana Maria Henao Knezevich, a Fort Lauderdale native who vanished from her Madrid apartment on February 2, 2024. Authorities say they believe she was kidnapped and killed by her estranged husband, David Knezevich, but her body has never been found. The new reward is the latest push by U.S. officials in a cross-border case that has drawn international scrutiny for more than a year.
FBI Posts Reward and What It Is Looking For
The FBI’s Miami Field Office has issued a “Seeking Information” alert offering up to $25,000 for tips that lead to the recovery of Henao Knezevich’s remains, according to the FBI. The online notice includes photos of Ana, close-ups of a distinctive necklace, and images of pages from her personal journal that investigators say were missing from her Madrid apartment. The poster also lists multiple ways to contact the bureau. The FBI says its Miami office is working with international partners as the search continues.
Surveillance Video Sets the Madrid Timeline
Court filings and media reports lay out a tight timeline for February 2, 2024. Henao Knezevich is seen on video entering her building at about 1:42 p.m., later joining a video call that evening and sending a final text message around 10:01 p.m., according to The Associated Press. Around 9:27 p.m., surveillance footage shows a man in the lobby wearing a motorcycle helmet and reflective vest. He is seen spray-painting the camera lens, then leaving with what appears to be a rolling suitcase, the outlet reports. Prosecutors later said the man resembled her estranged husband, who was federally charged with kidnapping resulting in death, foreign domestic violence resulting in death, and foreign murder of a U.S. national.
Rental Car Trail, Suspected Route, and Missing Items
Investigators say Knezevich rented a dark-blue 2019 Peugeot 308 in Belgrade on January 29, 2024, then drove it through Croatia, Slovenia, France, and Italy to reach Madrid before returning along the same route, according to the FBI. Authorities allege he stole multiple license plates along the way to hide his movements. The bureau says it believes Ana’s remains may have been disposed of somewhere on that return trip. Her distinctive necklace and a personal journal were not found in her Madrid apartment, and investigators are asking anyone who might recognize those belongings to come forward.
Husband’s Death in Custody and the Family’s Plea
In April 2025, Knezevich was found unresponsive at the Federal Detention Center in Miami. The Federal Bureau of Prisons said staff attempted life-saving measures, and emergency responders later pronounced him dead. His attorney said he died by suicide, as reported by The Associated Press. In a statement, Ana’s family said that “the suicide of Ana’s murderer closes a painful chapter in our lives,” a line included in coverage by NBC 6 South Florida. Investigators say the case remains active and that tips are still crucial in the search for her remains.
How to Help
Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact their local FBI field office or the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov, or call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). Investigators say even minor details could help narrow down a search that stretches across multiple countries.
