Search Intensifies for Missing Arizona Woman, Nancy Guthrie
The search for 84-year-ancient Nancy Guthrie, mother of “TODAY” present co-host Savannah Guthrie, continues to captivate the nation more than three weeks after her disappearance from her Tucson, Arizona home. Authorities are focusing on a grainy security video and a piece of evidence recovered near the scene, appealing to the public for assistance.
Timeline of Events
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home the night of January 31, 2026, and reported missing around noon on February 1, 2026. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department initiated a search, and the FBI quickly became involved.
Key Evidence: The Security Video
A critical piece of evidence is a security video showing an individual approaching Guthrie’s home at 1:47 a.m. On February 1st. The person was wearing a balaclava, gloves, and a backpack, and had a visible gun holstered at their waist. The individual appeared to tamper with the security camera, attempting to obstruct the lens with greenery Los Angeles Times.
DNA Evidence and Lack of Matches
On Sunday, February 16, 2026, the FBI announced that DNA was found on a glove discovered two miles from Guthrie’s home, matching the gloves worn by the masked individual in the security footage. However, on Tuesday, February 18, 2026, officials stated that the DNA did not match any entries in CODIS, the national DNA database ABC7, Los Angeles Times.
Investigators’ Plea and Comparison to the Unabomber Case
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos believes someone in the community recognizes the individual in the video and is urging them to come forward. He drew a parallel to the case of the Unabomber, Theodore Kaczynski, who was ultimately identified through a tip from his brother who recognized the writing style in his manifesto Los Angeles Times.
Family’s Appeal and Concerns
Savannah Guthrie issued a public plea on Instagram, urging the kidnappers to release her mother, stating, “it’s never too late to do the right thing.” The family is also concerned about Nancy Guthrie’s health, as she was kidnapped without her necessary heart medication Los Angeles Times.
Ongoing Investigation and Potential Leads
Investigators are exploring several leads. They believe the clothing, backpack, and face mask worn by the suspect may have been purchased at a Walmart and are working with the store’s management to identify the purchaser ABC News. DNA evidence collected from Guthrie’s home is also being analyzed, with results pending. Authorities initially detained two individuals for questioning, but they were later released as they were not considered suspects ABC7.
Ransom Note Investigation
News outlets received identical ransom notes shortly after Guthrie’s disappearance, which investigators are treating as legitimate. Sources indicate the note contained details about the home that had not been publicly released, lending credibility to its authenticity, though authorities have no proof the author has Guthrie Los Angeles Times.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward.