ST. LOUIS – The FBI is offering a $20,000 reward for information about Amanda Jones' disappearance nine years ago.
Amanda was eight-and-a-half months pregnant when she disappeared Aug. 14, 2005. Around 1 p.m. she met the alleged father of her unborn child at the Hillsboro Civic Center parking lot in the 10300 block of Highway 21. Around 1:15 p.m. she answered a phone call from a relative. That was the last time her friends and family heard from her.
Later that evening, Amanda's 1997 blue Pontiac Sunfire was found unlocked and abandoned in the Civic Center parking lot. Her purse, keys, wallet, and cell phone were missing.
Amanda stands 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighed around 220 pounds at the time of her disappearance. She has brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing pink and carrying a pink handbag.
A $20,000 reward is now offered for information that can help the FBI determine what happened to Amanda and to find her. The FBI is looking to learn about anything that could be related to the Amanda Jones case, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Call them at 314-589-2500.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Bill Woods said typically FBI rewards are paid out if there is an arrest and conviction, but that rule will not apply in this case. Anyone who gives the FBI information that leads to the location of Amanda and her unborn child or is able to identify the person or persons responsible for her disappearance will be eligible.
"No doubt, somebody knows what happened to Amanda. We hope the reward will generate the tip we need to solve this case," said Woods.
Doc Coombs, an investigator with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, says law enforcement continues to get leads in the case, and each is investigated. He said he feels the case is closer to being solved than it was nine years ago.
NewsChannel 5's Ryan Dean asked Coombs if he thinks he knows who is responsible for Amanda's disappearance.
"Yes sir, I do," replied Coombs. "We're looking for evidence to substantiate an allegation, yes sir."
Coombs said the alleged father of Amanda's unborn child remains a person of interest in the case. He declined to say how many persons of interest there are in the case. He also declined to comment on a possible motive for her disappearance.
Amanda left behind a 4-year-old daughter named Hannah Jones. Now 13, Hannah was at the news conference, along with Amanda's parents Hubert and Bertha Propst, to help announce the reward.
"We know there's someone out there who has seen, who has heard, and knows the answers we are searching for," said Bertha.
"I just want my mom to come home," Hannah said while crying.
The Propsts say Hannah remembers her mom, and they talk about her and tell stories about her all the time.
In 2005 a $100,000 reward was offered by a private citizen, but that reward is no longer available.
