Nancy Guthrie Missing 17 Days as Investigation Intensifies

Nancy Guthrie, an 84-year-old Arizona resident and mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, has been missing for 17 days. She was last seen at her home in Catalina Foothills, just outside Tucson, on the evening of Saturday, January 31, 2026. Her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, dropped her off at approximately 9:50 p.m. after she had dinner at her daughter Annie's home. When she did not appear the following morning, her family reported her missing on February 1.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos quickly determined that this was not a simple missing person case. Evidence found at her residence indicated that a crime had taken place inside the house. Blood matching Guthrie's DNA was discovered at or near the entrance to her home, and investigators found personal items left behind. Most tellingly, the doorbell security camera had been removed from the front of the house.

"At this point, investigators believe she was taken from her home against her will, possibly in the middle of the night. She couldn't walk 50 yards by herself." – Sheriff Chris Nanos

Nanos has stated publicly that he believes Guthrie was abducted. The sheriff's office has treated her residence as a crime scene and brought in homicide investigators to assist with the case.

Background

Savannah Guthrie is a prominent figure in American broadcast journalism, serving as a co-anchor of the Today show on NBC News. Her mother's disappearance has drawn significant media attention, in part because of Savannah's high-profile position. The case has also captured public interest because of the circumstances surrounding the disappearance and the family's public appeals for help.

The investigation has revealed a timeline of events from the early morning hours of February 1. The doorbell camera at Guthrie's home was disconnected at approximately 1:47 a.m. At around 2:12 a.m., one of the home's cameras detected what the system classified as a person, though video footage was not available. Nancy Guthrie's pacemaker app showed a disconnect from her phone at 2:28 a.m.

Video footage from the doorbell camera captured before it was disabled shows a masked suspect approaching the front door. In one clip, the suspect raises a gloved hand to the camera before turning back. In another, the suspect holds a flashlight in their mouth before covering the camera lens with vegetation.

Key Details

Evidence and Investigation

Investigators have recovered several pieces of physical evidence. An Ozark Trail backpack found during the search has been called "one of the most promising leads" in the case by Sheriff Nanos. The sheriff's office has reviewed surveillance video from local Walmart locations and obtained records of all Ozark Trail Hiker purchases from the past several months.

A glove was discovered approximately 2 miles from Guthrie's house in a field near a roadside. While 16 gloves were found in various areas during the search, most belonged to investigators. The DNA from the glove did not match DNA found at the property. However, DNA that did not belong to Nancy Guthrie or those in close contact with her was collected from her property and is being analyzed.

Law enforcement has deployed advanced technology to aid the search. Investigators have used a tracking device known as a "signal sniffer" mounted on a helicopter flying low and slow in an attempt to detect possible signals from Guthrie's heart pacemaker. The portable radio detection device is designed to identify specific low-powered electronic signals that could help pinpoint her location.

Family Response and Ransom Possibility

Savannah Guthrie publicly addressed her mother's disappearance in a video statement shared on social media on February 4, appearing alongside her siblings Annie and Camron. On February 7, the family released another video that appeared to address a person or group potentially connected to the disappearance.

"We received your message and we understand. We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her; this is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay." – Savannah Guthrie

The family's statement suggests they may have received contact from whoever is responsible for Nancy's disappearance. While no official confirmation has been made regarding a ransom demand, the family's language indicates they are willing to negotiate.

Savannah has suspended her broadcasting duties, including coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, to participate in the ongoing search. The White House has also become involved, with President Donald Trump calling Savannah on February 4 to offer additional federal resources and express hope for her mother's safe recovery.

Clearing Suspects

On Monday, February 17, Sheriff Nanos announced that all members of the Guthrie family, including siblings and spouses, have been officially cleared as possible suspects. Nanos issued a strong statement saying the family has been nothing but cooperative and gracious and are victims in this case.

What This Means

As of February 17, law enforcement has stated that Nancy Guthrie's condition and whereabouts remain unknown. The investigation is ongoing, with the FBI assisting the Pima County Sheriff's Department. Investigators are waiting on DNA results from inside the home and from the glove found nearby.

The case has drawn international attention, making it one of the most closely watched missing person investigations in recent memory. Family appeals on social media have not yet yielded any "proof of life" from the person or persons who took Nancy Guthrie. The search continues with no confirmed sightings or additional contact from those responsible for her disappearance.