Sheriff Warns Nancy Guthrie’s Abductor Could Strike Again

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has stated that the suspect responsible for the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie could “absolutely” strike again, raising concerns about ongoing public safety nearly two months after she vanished. Despite the ongoing investigation, details regarding a potential motive remain scarce.

Timeline of Events

Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Savannah Guthrie, a co-host of NBC’s “Today” show, was last seen on January 31, 2026. She was reported missing the following morning. The case has garnered national attention as the search continues.

Sheriff’s Concerns and Limited Information

Sheriff Nanos indicated that investigators believe the abduction was targeted, but cautioned against assuming others are not at risk. “We believe we know why he did this, and we believe that it was targeted, but we can’t — we’re not 100% sure of that,” Nanos told NBC News. “Don’t think for a minute that because it happened to the Guthrie family, you’re safe. No, keep your wits about you.”

However, Nanos has declined to publicly share the suspected motive, citing the integrity of the investigation. He stated that revealing the theory could inadvertently provide the suspect with a roadmap of what investigators know.

Investigative Challenges

The investigation has faced several challenges. Authorities have been unable to recover video footage from Nancy Guthrie’s home security cameras. While the FBI and Google were able to retrieve footage from a doorbell camera showing a masked man with a gun, the suspect remains unidentified.

A mixed DNA sample sent to a private lab has not yet yielded conclusive results, providing only a partial profile insufficient for use in the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) database or investigative genetic genealogy techniques.

Investigators are also looking into a potential power or internet outage that occurred the morning of the abduction, but have not yet determined if it is connected to the case.

Expert Perspective

Jason Pack, a retired FBI supervisory agent and CEO of Media Rep Global Strategies, commented on the sheriff’s warning. He explained that withholding the motive is a standard investigative practice to avoid tipping off the suspect. However, he cautioned that publicly suggesting the perpetrator could strike again without providing guidance on how to stay safe could create unnecessary panic.

Reward and Call for Information

A combined reward of over $1.2 million is being offered for information that leads to a resolution in the case. Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.