Nancy Guthrie Abduction: Two Weeks of Searches Yield No Arrests

Nancy Guthrie, an 84-year-old woman and mother of NBC Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, disappeared from her home in the Catalina Foothills area of Tucson, Arizona, in the early hours of February 1, 2026. Signs of a struggle, blood evidence, and ransom notes demanding Bitcoin point to an abduction, and as of February 15, searches have entered their second week with no arrests despite major operations by local sheriff's deputies and the FBI.

Background

Nancy Guthrie lives alone in a quiet neighborhood in the Catalina Foothills, a suburb outside Tucson. She has limited mobility and relies on family for help with daily tasks. Her daughter Savannah, a well-known face on morning television, has family ties in the area. Around noon on February 1, family members called 911 after checking on her and finding her gone. Her phone, keys, and other personal items sat untouched inside the house.

Deputies arrived that afternoon and saw right away this was no ordinary missing person case. The front door showed damage. Bloodstains marked the area near the entrance. Guthrie's belongings suggested she did not leave on her own. Given her age and health, walking even a short distance alone would be hard for her. Sheriff Chris Nanos of Pima County said the evidence inside pointed to a crime. He called in homicide investigators from the start.

The home sits in a spread-out neighborhood where houses stand far apart. Neighbors reported no strange noises or cars that night. But security systems captured key moments. A doorbell camera at Guthrie's house went offline at 1:47 a.m. on February 1. Motion sensors picked up activity at 2:12 a.m. Data later pulled from the camera's backend showed a masked man in gloves tampering with the device. He carried a backpack and what looked like a holstered gun low on his body.

Key Details

Investigators processed the house as a crime scene. Forensic teams confirmed the blood near the door belonged to Guthrie. They did not say how much blood or how bad her injuries might be. The doorbell camera had been removed, but the FBI recovered footage and images. On February 10, they released still photos and two videos. The man appears about 5 feet 9 to 10 inches tall, average build, wearing a mask, gloves, and a 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker backpack.

Ransom Notes and False Leads

Ransom notes turned up soon after. One had details about Guthrie's home and what she wore that night. It demanded millions in Bitcoin to a specific address, with deadlines that passed by February 9. Another note came to media outlets. The FBI took over those leads because of their expertise in tracking cryptocurrency. They shared everything with local detectives.

On February 5, a man in California faced federal charges for faking a ransom demand from the family. He posed as the abductor but had no real connection. Authorities stressed they check every tip, even false ones.

Late last Friday, a SWAT team from Pima County and FBI agents raided a house about two miles from Guthrie's home. It was a big operation in the Tucson area. They detained at least three people briefly. A traffic stop nearby led to another man held for questioning. Deputies towed a gray Range Rover from a Culver's parking lot. But Sheriff Nanos said no arrests came from it. No one stayed in custody. The search hit the two-week mark on Saturday with still no named suspects.

The FBI doubled its reward to $100,000 for information leading to Guthrie's location or arrests in the case. They asked for videos from specific areas and times around the neighborhood.

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

Multiple agencies work the case. Pima County Sheriff's Department leads, with FBI, US Customs and Border Protection, and search teams helping. They canvass doors, review hours of surveillance, and run forensics. Labs test new evidence against what they already have from the scene. No glove turned up at Guthrie's house, though gloves appeared in other searches.

What This Means

The case has gripped people across the US because of the family ties to television and the unusual details like Bitcoin demands and clear video evidence. Two weeks in, Guthrie remains missing. Her age and health raise worries about her condition. Searches cover desert areas nearby, but the rugged terrain makes it tough.

No public suspects mean the trail could go cold if tips dry up. The FBI's involvement shows they see this as a serious interstate matter, possibly with cyber elements from the ransom. Neighborhoods like Catalina Foothills now feel less safe. Residents lock doors tighter and check cameras more often.

Family stays out of the spotlight but issued statements asking for help. Savannah Guthrie has not spoken publicly much, focusing on the search. Law enforcement urges anyone with video from early February 1 or info on the backpack or man in the images to come forward.

Efforts continue around the clock. Sheriff Nanos said they trust federal labs and share all evidence fast. The reward might bring new leads. For now, the focus stays on that masked figure from the video, the blood inside, and notes that know too much about the home.