Nancy Guthrie, 84, mother of "Today" co-host Savannah Guthrie, has been missing since February 1 from her Tucson, Arizona, home. Authorities are investigating her disappearance as a suspected abduction, citing evidence of forced entry and the presence of her blood at the residence. Despite extensive efforts by local and federal law enforcement, the individual believed to be responsible remains unidentified.
The Guthrie family and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have offered substantial rewards for information, and Savannah Guthrie has made public appeals while preparing for her return to her television duties.
Disappearance Details
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the evening of January 31, after having dinner with her daughter, Annie Guthrie. She was dropped off at her residence in the Catalina Foothills area north of Tucson between 9:30 p.m. and 9:50 p.m. On February 1, around noon, a family member reported her missing to 911 after she did not attend a scheduled church service.
Authorities quickly designated the residence as a crime scene, noting concerning circumstances.
Key Findings at the Home
- Signs of forced entry were observed.
- Nancy Guthrie's personal belongings, such as her phone, wallet, hearing aid, and car, were left behind.
- Her critical daily medications for high blood pressure, heart issues, and a pacemaker were also at the home.
- Drops of blood, later confirmed via DNA testing to belong to Nancy Guthrie, were found on the front porch.
- A security camera from her home was reported missing.
Timeline of Early Morning Events (February 1)
Further investigation established a timeline of events during the early hours:
- 1:47 a.m. local time: Nancy Guthrie's doorbell camera was disconnected.
- 2:12 a.m.: Surveillance camera software detected movement near the home, although no footage was immediately retained.
- Between 2:28 a.m. and 2:30 a.m.: Her pacemaker disconnected from its monitoring application on her phone.
Authorities concluded that Nancy Guthrie was taken against her will, citing her limited mobility and the compelling circumstances at the scene.
Investigation Efforts
The Pima County Sheriff's Department leads the investigation, with assistance from the FBI and other state and federal agencies. Initial efforts included ground and air search and rescue teams, drones, and search dogs, which later transitioned into a criminal investigation involving homicide detectives.
Law Enforcement Actions
- Evidence Collection: DNA, fingerprints, and camera images have been collected from the scene.
- Video Review: Law enforcement has conducted an extensive review of surveillance footage from Nancy Guthrie's home, neighboring properties, license plate readers, and cellphone tower data, encompassing "thousands of hours" of video from the greater Tucson area.
- Neighborhood Canvassing: Door-to-door inquiries and requests for neighbors to review home security footage, particularly for January 31, February 1, and specific earlier dates like January 11 and January 24, suggesting potential prior surveillance.
- Search Warrants: Search warrants have been executed at various locations, including a residence in Rio Rico and another Tucson home, and a parked Range Rover was examined, although these actions did not lead to arrests.
- Inter-Agency Cooperation: Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos and the FBI have publicly affirmed their "strong partnership" in the investigation, with forensic analysis of evidence conducted by the same out-of-state laboratory. Mexican officials have also been briefed due to Tucson's proximity to the border.
As of the latest reports, no arrests have been made, and no specific motive has been identified.
Sheriff Nanos has stated his belief that Nancy Guthrie is still alive and is being held locally, and that she was targeted.
Suspect Information and Evidence
On February 10, the FBI released surveillance video and photos recovered from Nancy Guthrie's doorbell camera, depicting a masked individual believed to be involved in her disappearance. The individual is described as a male, approximately 5 feet, 9 inches to 5 feet, 10 inches tall, with an average build.
The suspect was seen wearing a black 25-liter "Ozark Trail Hiker Pack" backpack, a ski mask or balaclava, gloves, long pants, a jacket, and appeared to be armed with a holstered gun.
The footage showed the individual tampering with the security camera, first using a gloved hand and then greenery from the yard to obscure the lens, and using a flashlight held in their mouth.
Further analysis suggested the suspect was recorded by the doorbell camera on a day prior to February 1, possibly without the backpack, leading investigators to consider the theory of pre-abduction surveillance. Walmart records related to purchases of the Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack have been reviewed by investigators.
DNA Evidence
- Glove DNA: A black glove found approximately two miles from Nancy Guthrie's home initially appeared to match those worn by the individual in the surveillance footage. DNA analysis of this glove, however, did not match any profiles in the national Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) database or other DNA found at the residence. It was later traced to a local restaurant worker not involved in the investigation.
- Residential DNA: Unidentified DNA not belonging to Nancy Guthrie or individuals known to be in close contact with her was discovered inside the home and is undergoing analysis. Investigators are considering the use of genetic genealogy to identify the source of this DNA.
Ransom Demands and Public Appeals
Multiple purported ransom notes, some demanding millions of dollars in Bitcoin, were sent to media outlets and the Guthrie family. While some were dismissed as "cruel opportunistic hoax" by authorities, leading to one arrest for sending a hoax message, Savannah Guthrie stated her belief that two specific notes received by the family were "authentic."
The family expressed a willingness to pay for Nancy Guthrie's return but emphasized the need for "proof of life" due to concerns about manipulated voices and images. No public announcement of a ransom payment has been made. The FBI has stated that while they advise on such matters, the decision to pay a ransom ultimately rests with the family.
The Guthrie family, including Savannah, Annie, and Camron Guthrie, has made numerous public appeals via social media and statements to the press, urging anyone with information to come forward, regardless of how small the detail. They announced a personal reward of up to $1 million for information leading to Nancy Guthrie's recovery. The FBI increased its reward from $50,000 to $100,000, bringing the total potential reward to $1.2 million. The family also donated $500,000 to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Savannah Guthrie described the situation as "unbearable agony" and expressed concerns about her mother's potential ordeal. She acknowledged the possibility that her mother "may already be gone" but emphasized the family's need for answers and closure.
The family members (Nancy's adult children and their spouses) have been officially cleared as suspects and are considered victims in the ongoing investigation. External figures, including President Donald Trump and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, have expressed support for the Guthrie family and directed federal assistance. Forensic artist Lois Gibson released a sketch based on the masked individual seen in the doorbell camera footage.
Savannah Guthrie's Return to Work
Savannah Guthrie has been on leave from the "Today" show since her mother's disappearance on February 1. She traveled to Tucson for several weeks to be with her family before returning to New York. On March 5, she made an off-camera visit to the "Today" studios to thank her colleagues for their support.
She confirmed her intention to return to her co-anchoring duties, stating, "I don’t know how to come back, but I don’t know how not to. You’re my family. And, I would like to try." Her return to the "Today" show is scheduled for April 6. During her absence, Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin, Sheinelle Jones, and Laura Jarrett have covered her duties. She also withdrew from covering the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
Call for Information
Law enforcement agencies continue to request public assistance. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact 911, the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, or the Pima County Sheriff's Department at 520-351-4900.