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Nancy Guthrie Disappearance: A Comprehensive Timeline and Investigation Overview

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Missing: Nancy Guthrie

84-year-old mother of "Today" show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie abducted from her Arizona home

"We are in agony. It is unbearable. She needs to come home now." — Savannah Guthrie

Disappearance Timeline

Saturday, January 31

9:45 p.m. — Nancy Guthrie was last seen after being dropped off at her home in the Catalina Foothills area north of Tucson. She had spent the evening having dinner and playing games with family at her daughter Annie Guthrie's residence.

9:48 p.m. — A garage door at Nancy's house opened as she was dropped off.

9:50 p.m. — The garage door closed.

Sunday, February 1

1:47 a.m. — Nancy's doorbell security camera was disconnected.

2:12 a.m. — A security camera detected movement at the home, but no footage was retained because the owner lacked a subscription.

2:28 a.m. — Nancy's pacemaker app indicated that the device disconnected from her phone.

11:00 a.m. — Nancy failed to arrive at a friend's home for a virtual church service.

11:56 a.m. — Her family found her home empty.

12:03 p.m. — The family called 911.

12:14 p.m. — Police officers arrived at the residence.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department designated the residence a crime scene. Sheriff Chris Nanos stated that evidence indicated Nancy Guthrie did not leave voluntarily and was taken against her will.

Investigation Details

Evidence Collected

Blood — DNA tests confirmed that blood found on the front porch belonged to Nancy Guthrie.

Doorbell Camera Footage — On February 10, the FBI released images and video recovered from a Google Nest doorbell camera. The footage shows an individual wearing a mask, gloves, and a backpack, with what appeared to be a holstered handgun at their waist. The individual tampered with the camera, attempting to obscure the lens with a gloved hand and greenery.

Missing Camera — A security camera from the front of Nancy's house was reported missing.

Forced Entry — Signs of forced entry were found at the residence.

Personal Items Left Behind — Nancy's wallet, cellphone, hearing aid, car, and daily medications were all found at her home.

Suspect Description

The FBI released the following description of the individual seen in the surveillance footage:

  • Gender: Male
  • Height: 5 feet, 9 inches to 5 feet, 10 inches
  • Build: Average
  • Clothing/Equipment: Wearing a mask (described as a ski mask or balaclava), gloves, long pants, and a jacket. Carrying a black, 25-liter "Ozark Trail Hiker Pack" backpack and what appeared to be a holstered handgun.

Law enforcement has stated that the individual in the footage is considered a "subject" they seek to identify, not yet a "suspect" or "person of interest."

DNA Evidence

A black glove found approximately two miles from Guthrie's home was analyzed for DNA. Preliminary testing indicated the DNA matched that of the individual in the surveillance footage. However, subsequent analysis showed the DNA did not match any profiles in the FBI's CODIS database and was later traced to a local restaurant worker with no connection to the case.

Unknown DNA not belonging to Nancy Guthrie or individuals known to her was discovered inside her home and is undergoing analysis. Investigators are considering the use of forensic genetic genealogy to identify this DNA.

Ransom Notes

Multiple media outlets received communications related to the disappearance:

  • First Note: Sent to several outlets, demanding millions of dollars in Bitcoin for Nancy Guthrie's release. It contained specific details about her home and bedroom.
  • Second Note: Sent to media outlets, indicating that Nancy Guthrie had died and that the kidnappers did not intend to kill her. It did not contain a monetary demand.
  • Family Communication: Savannah Guthrie, along with her siblings Annie and Camron, stated that they received two notes they believed to be authentic. They issued a video message saying, "We received your message and we understand," and expressed willingness to pay for their mother's return.
  • Hoax: A man named Derrick Callella, 42, of California, was charged with sending a hoax ransom message to Guthrie's oldest daughter and son-in-law.
  • Later Claim (April 6): A tipster contacted TMZ demanding 1 Bitcoin (approximately $70,000) in exchange for the location of Nancy's body, claiming she was seen alive in Sonora, Mexico, but is now deceased.

Interagency Coordination

FBI Director Kash Patel criticized the Pima County Sheriff's Office for delaying FBI involvement for four days. Patel stated that earlier involvement could have secured additional video footage from Google's servers and that DNA evidence was sent to a private lab in Florida rather than the FBI lab in Quantico.

"What we, the FBI, do is say, 'Hey, we're here to help.' What do you need? What can we do? And for four days, we were kept out of the investigation." — FBI Director Kash Patel

Sheriff Chris Nanos disputed this, stating that an FBI task force member was present at the scene the night Guthrie was reported missing and that coordination began without delay. Both agencies released a joint statement affirming their "strong partnership" and "collaborative investigation."

Victim Profile

  • Name: Nancy Guthrie
  • Age: 84
  • Physical Description: 5 feet 5 inches tall, approximately 150 pounds, brown hair, blue eyes.
  • Health: Requires daily medication for high blood pressure and heart issues. Has a pacemaker and limited mobility. Described by family and law enforcement as being of "sound mind" and sharp.
  • Family: Widow of Charles Guthrie, who died in 1988. Mother of three children: Annie, Charles Camron, and Savannah Guthrie (co-anchor of NBC's "Today" show).

"We love our mom. We'll never stop looking for her." — Savannah Guthrie

Family Response

Public Appeals

Savannah Guthrie took a leave of absence from the "Today" show and traveled to Arizona. She returned to the show on April 6, 2026.

Guthrie and her siblings have issued multiple video appeals, asking for information and stating their willingness to pay for their mother's return. Guthrie has expressed concern that her public profile may have been a factor in the abduction.

Rewards Offered

Entity Amount Conditions Guthrie Family Up to $1,000,000 Information leading to Nancy Guthrie's recovery FBI $100,000 Information leading to Guthrie's location or the arrest/conviction of those involved 88-Crime (Pima County) $2,500 (later $102,500) Information leading to arrests Milwaukee Attorney Michael Hupy $100,000 Donated to Crime Stoppers Victory Church (Albany, NY) $25,000 Information leading to Guthrie's discovery

Donation

The Guthrie family donated $500,000 to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Key Investigation Milestones

Date Event Jan. 31 Nancy Guthrie last seen at 9:45 p.m. Feb. 1 Reported missing at noon Feb. 2 Sheriff Nanos states belief she was kidnapped Feb. 3 First ransom note received by media outlets Feb. 4 Family issues video appeal, requests proof of life Feb. 10 FBI releases doorbell camera footage of suspect Feb. 16 Sheriff confirms family members cleared as suspects Feb. 17 DNA from glove yields no database match Feb. 24 Family announces $1 million reward Feb. 27 Sheriff's Department announces "refocusing resources" March 25 Savannah Guthrie gives first interview about the case April 6 Savannah Guthrie returns to "Today" show

Status

The investigation remains active. The FBI and Pima County Sheriff's Department continue to analyze evidence and follow leads. As of the latest reports, no suspects have been publicly identified, and Nancy Guthrie's whereabouts and condition remain unknown.

"I just believe she's somewhere here locally." — Sheriff Chris Nanos

Contact Information

  • FBI: 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324)
  • Pima County Sheriff's Department: 520-351-4900
  • Online Tips: tips.fbi.gov