What began as a worried family concern for an elderly relative has rapidly escalated into a detailed and urgent criminal investigation that has captured national attention. Drawn in federal resources, and prompted emotional public appeals from loved ones and advocates for the elderly. Nancy Guthrie, an 84‑year‑old Tucson, Arizona resident and the mother of Today show co‑anchor Savannah Guthrie. Was reported missing on Sunday, February 1, 2026. Initial reports described her absence as a routine missing‑person case…What began as a worried family concern for an elderly relative has rapidly escalated into a detailed and urgent criminal investigation that has captured national attention.Family games
Drawn in federal resources, and prompted emotional public appeals from loved ones and advocates for the elderly. Nancy Guthrie, an 84‑year‑old Tucson, Arizona resident and the mother of Today show co‑anchor Savannah Guthrie.
Was reported missing on Sunday, February 1, 2026. Initial reports described her absence as a routine missing‑person case — common for seniors — but information released in the days since has dramatically changed the scope and seriousness of the situation.
Who Is Nancy Guthrie?
Nancy Guthrie was born January 27, 1942, and lived independently in the Catalina Foothills area north of Tucson, Arizona. Though elderly, friends and family have described her as mentally alert and sharp‑minded, engaged in her community and family life.However, she was also medically vulnerable: she lived with serious cardiac issues, high blood pressure, limited mobility, and she relied on a pacemaker and daily medication to maintain her health.
These factors have significantly heightened concerns for her well‑being since her disappearance.
The Timeline: Last Known Movements
Investigators have reconstructed a very specific timeline of Nancy Guthrie’s final hours based on family accounts, device logs, and law enforcement statements:
Saturday, January 31, 2026: Nancy Guthrie spent the evening at a family member’s home in Tucson, enjoying dinner and time with relatives.
~9:30 p.m.: She was dropped off at her residence in the affluent Catalina Foothills community after the visit.
9:48 p.m.: Surveillance footage shows her arriving home and entering the residence.
Early Sunday, February 1:
1:47 a.m.: The home’s doorbell camera was disabled or stopped transmitting.
2:12 a.m.: Motion was detected near the camera’s field, though no footage was captured.
2:28 a.m.: Her pacemaker’s connectivity to her phone and smartwatch ceased, marking a significant data point in the investigation.Sunday Morning: Nancy failed to attend a regular church service, raising immediate concern among friends and family.Family games
~11:56 a.m.: Family members visited her home and found her missing, with personal items including her phone, wallet, and car still at the residence.
12:03 p.m.: A 911 call was placed reporting her missing to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
This roughly 15‑hour gap between her last confirmed sighting and the time her disappearance was reported has become a primary focus of investigators.
Transition to a Criminal Case: Evidence and Law Enforcement Response
Initially treated as a typical missing‑person case for a medically vulnerable adult, the investigation quickly grew more concerning as law enforcement gathered evidence:
Home Treated as a Crime Scene
Law enforcement officials, led by Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, declared Guthrie’s residence a crime scene rather than the site of a routine search. This shift reflected early findings that did not fit a scenario where she left voluntarily.
Biological Evidence and DNA
Investigators found what they described as biological evidence at the home. Subsequent DNA analysis confirmed that the blood found on the front porch and around the residence matched Nancy Guthrie. This finding strongly suggested that foul play was involved and that she did not leave on her own.
Signs of Disturbance and Electronics Disconnected
In addition to evidence on the porch, investigators noted that security devices — including the doorbell camera — were disabled and that personal electronics stopped syncing in the early hours of February 1, indicating that something abnormal occurred during that period.
No Confirmed Suspect Yet
Despite intensive investigation and public scrutiny, authorities have not identified any suspects or persons of interest as of the latest public briefings. Sheriff Nanos has emphasized that the inquiry remains active and that investigators are pursuing every lead.
Federal Involvement and Reward Offer
The FBI’s Phoenix Field Office joined the investigation early on to provide additional expertise and resources, including digital forensics, DNA analysis, and investigative support.
In coordination with local law enforcement, the FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information that leads to Nancy Guthrie’s safe recovery or the arrest and conviction of those responsible for her disappearance.
Ransom Note Reports and Ongoing Analysis
Multiple media outlets reported that ransom notes were sent to local news organizations — some demanding payment in cryptocurrency and referencing specific details about the case.
These notes have been turned over to law enforcement and reviewed by the FBI. Officials have not confirmed the authenticity of any ransom communication, and one individual was arrested for attempting to pass off a fake ransom demand.Investigators are investigating whether any notes contain a proof of life, a standard practice in ransom cases to verify that the target is alive.
Search Efforts: Local to National Scope
The search and investigation have involved:
Pima County Sheriff’s Department ground teams, detectives, and forensic units.
FBI specialists assisting with lab analysis, digital evidence, and nationwide lead coordination.
Search and rescue assets, including K‑9s, drones, and aerial units earlier in the operation.
Community vigilance, with neighborhood canvasses and surveillance reviews in the Catalina Foothills area, which is quiet, sparsely populated at night, and covered with desert terrain.
Family Appeals, Public Response, and Emotional Impact
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings — Annie and Camron Guthrie — have made repeated public appeals for information and for confirmation that their mother is alive:
They have released heartfelt video messages asking those responsible to come forward with proof of life and urging the public to help investigators.
Savannah stepped away from her Today show duties, including planned coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, to remain with her family and support the search.Family games
Community vigils, prayer gatherings, and interfaith services — such as a large vigil at St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church in Tucson — have reflected widespread local support.
The emotional tone of these appeals has centered on love, hope, and the urgency of finding Nancy while she is still alive.
Why Time Is Critical
Nancy’s medical needs — including daily medication for her heart condition and reliance on a pacemaker — make her absence especially dangerous. Authorities and the Guthrie family have emphasized that each passing hour without the proper medication increases risks to her health and survival.
What Authorities Are Asking of the Public
Law enforcement has repeatedly asked anyone with potential information — no matter how small or indirect — to come forward. They stress that credible tips can make a difference and that unverified speculation online can hinder the investigation.
Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact:
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department tip lines
FBI tip line (1‑800‑CALL‑FBI / tips.fbi.gov)
Ongoing Investigation
As of the latest verified reports:
Nancy Guthrie remains missing, and investigators continue to treat her disappearance as a potential abduction or kidnapping.
No proof of life has been confirmed, and the authenticity of potential ransom communications remains under review.
No suspects have been publicly identified or charged.
The investigation continues with both local and federal resources engaged.
