On the night of January 31, 2026, 84‑year‑old Nancy Guthrie — the mother of Today show co‑anchor Savannah Guthrie — disappeared from her home in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson, Arizona, in what authorities now describe as a suspected abduction.
The extraordinary case has drawn intense national attention, involving federal agencies including the FBI, significant forensic analysis, community support efforts, and a growing public search effort.
Investigators believe Nancy was taken against her will, and authorities continue to pursue every possible lead as the search enters its fourth week.
This report lays out the full timeline, evidence gathered, law enforcement actions, public response, and what authorities are still seeking in hopes of locating Nancy and bringing those responsible to justice.
Who Is Nancy Guthrie?
Nancy Ellen Guthrie, born January 27, 1942, was an 84‑year‑old grandmother and longtime resident of the Catalina Foothills area outside Tucson, Arizona.
She was widely described by her family and friends as mentally sharp and independent, albeit limited in mobility due to her age.
Her daughter, Savannah Guthrie, is a high‑profile journalist and co‑anchor of NBC’s Today show who temporarily stepped away from her broadcast duties to focus on the search for her mother.
Nancy’s disappearance has become one of the most closely watched missing‑person cases in the United States so far this year.
The Night She Disappeared: Timeline of Events
The timeline leading up to Nancy’s disappearance has been reconstructed from law enforcement statements and verified reports:
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January 31, 2026 (Evening): Nancy was dropped off at her home by her son‑in‑law, Tommaso Cioni, after spending the evening with her daughter, Annie Guthrie. This was the last confirmed sighting of Nancy at her residence.
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Early Morning, February 1: Surveillance data from her home indicated unusual activity. A doorbell camera — a Google Nest device — was disconnected, and later motion was detected around the property.
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Late Morning, February 1: When Nancy failed to appear for a scheduled livestream church service, a friend contacted her family. Relatives went to her home, found her missing, and contacted police around noon.
Upon arrival, deputies noted that Nancy’s personal items, including her phone, were left behind. Given her need for daily medication and limited ability to walk long distances, investigators concluded that the disappearance was not voluntary.
Law Enforcement Response
From the outset, local and federal authorities treated the case as far more than a typical missing‑persons report:
Crime Scene Classification
Shortly after the initial response, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos declared Nancy’s residence a crime scene.
This classification meant investigators believed that evidence at the house — not consistent with a voluntary departure — pointed to foul play.
Sheriff Nanos noted that the interior condition of the home was “very concerning” and indicated Nancy had not left on her own.
FBI Involvement
Because of the suspicious circumstances, the FBI joined the investigation early on. Federal agents assisted with evidence collection, forensic analysis, and outreach to the public for tips.
Search Operations
Law enforcement conducted an extensive ground, air, and digital investigation that included:
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Searching the surrounding area with drones, K‑9 units, and search teams.
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Analyzing surveillance footage from the home and neighborhood.
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Executing search warrants at residences near Nancy’s property — including a coordinated operation about two miles from her home.
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Reviewing and seizing vehicles potentially linked to the case.
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Forensic processing of physical evidence both inside and around the property.
Despite these efforts, no arrests have been made to date.
Forensic Evidence and Surveillance Footage
Video Footage from Home Cameras
The FBI released footage captured from a Google Nest doorbell camera at the front of Nancy’s home.
The video, dated the early morning of February 1, shows a masked individual wearing gloves and carrying a distinctive backpack, later identified as a 25‑liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack — an item law enforcement has used as a key descriptive lead.
The FBI described the suspect as a male roughly 5’9″ to 5’10″ with an average build, and possibly armed at the time.
Authorities have also asked Google to attempt recovery of any additional footage from cameras around the property, beyond what was initially retrieved from the doorbell device. Google has indicated it may try but has not guaranteed more usable video.
DNA Evidence
Investigators collected biological material — including bloodstains and discarded gloves — both at Nancy’s residence and in nearby areas. Testing has yielded DNA profiles that do not match Nancy or anyone in her household.
One glove — believed to be associated with the suspect seen in the video — produced an unknown male DNA profile. While submitted to the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), no matches have been found so far.
Authorities have collected dozens of gloves from the area, but many were discarded by search personnel during operations and are not believed to be connected to the case.
Ransom Notes and Public Communications
Not long after Nancy vanished, ransom notes were sent to local media outlets demanding payment — reportedly in cryptocurrency — for Nancy’s safe return.
The authenticity of these communications remains under investigation, and there has been no confirmed direct contact from kidnappers.
Officials caution that such notes can sometimes be hoaxes or generated by third parties seeking attention, and investigators have not confirmed whether the demands are linked to the primary abduction investigation.
Family Involvement and Public Pleas
From the earliest public updates, the Guthrie family has been deeply involved and cooperative with investigators.
On multiple occasions, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings released heartfelt video pleas asking anyone with information to come forward.
They also urged that any captors communicate proof that Nancy is alive. Sheriff Nanos explicitly confirmed that Savannah Guthrie, her siblings, and their spouses have been cleared as suspects in the case.
Authorities have described the family as victims who have fully cooperated with the investigation.
Law Enforcement’s Public Statements and Appeals
Throughout the investigation, Sheriff Nanos has stressed the need for community help, warning that tips often dry up as time passes — and cold cases become harder to solve.
Authorities continue to urge anyone with potentially relevant information — no matter how minor it may seem — to contact the FBI or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
The Reward and Community Support
Initially, the FBI offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to Nancy’s location or an arrest. Thanks to an anonymous donation, tip‑line reward totals have since exceeded $200,000.
In the Catalina Foothills neighborhood where Nancy lived, residents have tied yellow ribbons to trees, mailboxes, and fences as symbols of hope and support for Nancy’s safe return.
Current Status and Next Steps
As of the latest update:
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No arrests have been made.
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No suspects have been publicly named.
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Investigators are still analyzing forensic evidence and surveillance footage.
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Authorities are pushing for additional information from tech companies to recover more digital evidence.
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Search efforts continue on multiple fronts, including both urban and remote areas.
The case remains active and unresolved, and law enforcement officials emphasize that time is critical — especially given Nancy’s health needs and the cold‑case risk associated with declining public leads.
Why This Case Matters
The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie — a vulnerable elderly woman — illustrates several broader issues in missing‑person cases:
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The crucial role of forensic science and DNA analysis in narrowing suspect profiles.
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The impact of technology (such as doorbell cameras and cloud footage) on modern investigations.
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The challenges law enforcement faces when high‑profile cases draw intense media attention and public speculation.
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The ongoing need for community tips, cooperation, and responsible reporting.
How the Public Can Help
Authorities continue to encourage anyone with information to contact:
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Pima County Sheriff’s Department: (520) 351‑4900 or the official tips hotline.
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FBI Phoenix Field Office: (800) 225‑5324 or through the FBI’s online tip portal.
Even seemingly small pieces of information — like unusual vehicles, unfamiliar persons near the Guthrie property, or digital footage from nearby security cameras — could prove essential to the investigation.
Conclusion
The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie remains one of the most urgent and closely watched missing‑person cases in the United States in 2026.
With national agencies involved, significant forensic efforts underway, and continued public interest, investigators say they remain hopeful — but they need actionable leads.
The FBI and local authorities continue to follow all viable avenues, and the Guthrie family’s focus remains on one goal: finding Nancy and bringing her home safely.
