What began as a family’s growing worry over an elderly relative has quickly developed into a complex criminal investigation drawing national attention and federal resources. Nancy Guthrie, an 84-year-old resident of Tucson, Arizona, and the mother of Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing on Sunday, February 1, 2026. Early on, the case appeared similar to many searches involving seniors. Within days, however, evidence transformed it into a suspected crime with urgent implications.
The shift in the case has been driven by physical findings at Guthrie’s home, unusual activity recorded by security and medical devices, and a widening law-enforcement response that now includes the FBI. Public appeals from her family and community support efforts have added to the intensity surrounding the search, while investigators continue to treat time as a critical factor due to her medical condition.
A Life of Independence and Ongoing Health Challenges
Nancy Guthrie was born on January 27, 1942. She lived independently in the Catalina Foothills area north of Tucson, a residential community known for quiet streets and desert surroundings. Family and friends have described her as mentally alert, engaged, and active in her social and family life. Despite her age, she maintained routines that included regular church attendance and frequent contact with relatives.
At the same time, she faced significant health challenges. She lived with serious cardiac issues and high blood pressure, had limited mobility, and depended on a pacemaker. Daily medication was part of her routine to keep these conditions under control. These medical needs have raised urgent concerns since her disappearance, as extended time without proper care increases the risk of severe complications.
A Detailed Timeline Emerges
Investigators have assembled a precise sequence of events based on family accounts, device records, and surveillance data.
On Saturday, January 31, 2026, Nancy Guthrie spent the evening at a family member’s home in Tucson. The visit included dinner and time with relatives. At approximately 9:30 p.m., she was driven back to her own residence in the Catalina Foothills.
At 9:48 p.m., surveillance footage captured her arriving at her home and entering the house. This is the last confirmed visual record of her movements.
In the early hours of Sunday, February 1, several notable events occurred. At 1:47 a.m., the home’s doorbell camera stopped transmitting or was disabled. At 2:12 a.m., motion was detected within the camera’s field of view, though no video footage was recorded. At 2:28 a.m., the pacemaker’s connection to her phone and smartwatch ended, creating a significant data point for investigators who are examining both the timing and the cause of the disruption.
Later that morning, Guthrie failed to appear at a regular church service, an absence that immediately raised concern among those who knew her routine. At approximately 11:56 a.m., family members went to her home to check on her. They found the house empty. Her phone, wallet, and car were still there, suggesting she had not left voluntarily for an extended outing.
At 12:03 p.m., a 911 call was placed to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department to report her missing. The roughly 15-hour span between her last confirmed sighting and the report has become a central focus of the investigation.
From Search to Crime Scene
The case initially moved forward as a missing-person search involving a medically vulnerable adult. That approach changed as evidence was collected at the residence. Sheriff Chris Nanos announced that the home would be treated as a crime scene rather than the site of a routine welfare check.
Investigators located biological evidence at and around the front porch area. Laboratory analysis confirmed that blood found at the scene matched Nancy Guthrie. This discovery sharply altered the direction of the inquiry, indicating that she did not simply leave on her own and that foul play is a serious possibility.
Further concerns arose from the status of the home’s security devices and personal electronics. The doorbell camera’s interruption and the sudden loss of connectivity between her pacemaker and personal devices in the early morning hours pointed to abnormal activity during a narrow and critical window of time.
Despite the seriousness of these findings, authorities have not named any suspects or persons of interest. The investigation remains open, and detectives continue to pursue multiple lines of inquiry.
Federal Resources Join the Search
The FBI’s Phoenix Field Office joined the case to provide additional expertise and support. Federal involvement has expanded the scope of the investigation to include advanced digital forensics, DNA analysis, and coordination of tips beyond state lines.
In coordination with local authorities, a reward of up to $50,000 has been announced for information that leads to Nancy Guthrie’s safe recovery or to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for her disappearance. The reward reflects both the urgency of the situation and the belief that public assistance could play a decisive role.
Ransom Communications Under Review
As the case gained attention, reports surfaced of ransom notes being sent to local news organizations. Some of these messages demanded payment in cryptocurrency and referenced details connected to the investigation. All such communications have been turned over to law enforcement and examined by federal investigators.
Officials have not confirmed the authenticity of any ransom demands. One individual has been arrested for attempting to present a false ransom note. Investigators are also evaluating whether any messages include proof of life, a standard element in genuine ransom situations. That analysis remains ongoing.
Search Efforts Expand Across Agencies
The response has involved a wide range of resources. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has deployed detectives, ground teams, and forensic specialists. Earlier phases of the operation included search and rescue units using K-9 teams, drones, and aerial support.
The FBI’s participation has added laboratory capacity and nationwide coordination for leads. Investigators have also conducted neighborhood canvasses and reviewed surveillance footage throughout the Catalina Foothills area. The community is typically quiet at night, with limited traffic and large stretches of desert terrain, factors that both complicate and shape the search.
Family Appeals and Community Support
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings, Annie and Camron Guthrie, have taken an active role in urging the public to help. They have released emotional video messages asking for information and for confirmation that their mother is alive. The family has appealed directly to anyone who may know something to come forward.
Savannah Guthrie stepped away from her professional duties, including planned coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, to remain with her family during the search. Her absence from the broadcast has underscored the personal impact of the case and brought additional attention to the effort to find her mother.
In Tucson, community members have organized vigils and prayer gatherings. A large interfaith service at St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church drew many residents who wanted to show support and solidarity. The tone of these events has centered on hope, compassion, and the urgent need for answers.
Why Every Hour Matters
Nancy Guthrie’s medical condition makes the situation especially time-sensitive. Her reliance on daily medication and a pacemaker means that extended periods without proper care carry serious risks. Authorities and her family have emphasized that each passing hour increases the danger to her health.
This medical reality has shaped both the urgency of the search and the public appeals. Investigators continue to prioritize leads that could result in her being located alive and receiving immediate medical attention.
Guidance for the Public
Law enforcement has urged anyone with information, no matter how small it may seem, to contact authorities. Tips can be directed to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department or to the FBI through its established channels. Officials have also cautioned against spreading unverified speculation, noting that false information can complicate and delay an active investigation.
Current Status of the Case
As of the latest official updates, Nancy Guthrie remains missing. Her disappearance is being treated as a potential abduction or kidnapping. No proof of life has been confirmed, and the review of alleged ransom communications continues. No suspects have been publicly identified or charged.
Local and federal agencies remain fully engaged, combining forensic work, digital analysis, and field investigation. The case has become a high-priority effort driven by the seriousness of the evidence and the vulnerability of the missing woman.
A Case That Has Gripped a Community
The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has moved far beyond a routine missing-person report. It has become a complex inquiry involving forensic evidence, digital data, and an expanding search for answers. The involvement of federal authorities, the announcement of a significant reward, and the emotional appeals from her family have all highlighted the gravity of the situation.
For the Guthrie family, the focus remains on finding Nancy and ensuring her safety. For investigators, the priority is to follow every credible lead and determine what happened during the critical hours after she returned home on January 31. For the wider community, the case has become a reminder of both vulnerability and collective responsibility, as neighbors, volunteers, and officials continue to watch, wait, and hope for a breakthrough.