Family cleared in Nancy Guthrie abduction case as search continues

Police investigating the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie have cleared all family members and their spouses as possible suspects in the case, marking a significant development in the search for the 84-year-old woman who vanished from her home in Catalina Foothills, Arizona, on February 1. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos made the announcement as the investigation entered its third week with no confirmed leads on the whereabouts of Guthrie, the mother of NBC News journalist and Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie.

Background

Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home on the evening of Saturday, January 31, when her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, dropped her off at approximately 9:50 p.m. The next morning, around noon on February 1, family members called 911 and reported her missing to authorities. What began as a missing-person report quickly escalated into a criminal investigation after deputies discovered evidence suggesting foul play.

Guthrie's personal belongings, including her phone and other essential items, remained inside the home. Given her limited mobility and age, investigators immediately treated the situation as more serious than a routine disappearance. The 84-year-old relies on daily medication and uses a pacemaker, making her particularly vulnerable.

Key Details

Evidence and Investigation

Authorities discovered multiple pieces of evidence at the residence pointing toward a forced abduction. Bloodstains were found at or near the entrance of Guthrie's home, with DNA testing confirming the blood belonged to her. A doorbell security camera was disconnected at approximately 1:47 a.m. on February 1, and surveillance footage recovered from the home's Nest camera backend systems showed a masked individual tampering with the device.

The suspect captured on video is described as a male between 5 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall with an average build. He was seen carrying a 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack. Sheriff Nanos has called this backpack one of the most promising leads in the case. Investigators have been reviewing surveillance video from local Walmart locations, and the company has provided records of all Ozark Trail Hiker purchases from recent months.

At approximately 2:12 a.m., motion was detected at the residence. Additionally, Guthrie's pacemaker app showed a disconnect from her phone at 2:28 a.m., providing investigators with a precise timeline of events.

Search Operations and Leads

Local, state, and federal authorities launched an extensive search following the disappearance. The Pima County Sheriff's Department deployed search-and-rescue teams, including K-9 units, drones, and aerial resources, with assistance from US Customs and Border Protection. The Federal Bureau of Investigation joined the investigation to provide additional resources and expertise.

Law enforcement has employed advanced technology in the search effort, including a tracking device known as a "signal sniffer" mounted on a helicopter. This portable radio detection device attempts to locate signals from Guthrie's heart pacemaker. The FBI increased its reward to $100,000 for information leading to her location or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.

On February 13, a Pima County SWAT team and FBI agents executed a search warrant at a residence approximately two miles from Guthrie's home. At least three people were detained in connection with the operation, and a gray Range Rover was towed from a nearby parking lot. However, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly named.

Family's Role

Sheriff Nanos emphasized that all family members and their spouses have been cleared as suspects. The announcement addressed speculation and rumors that had circulated during the investigation's early stages.

"To suggest otherwise is not only wrong, it is cruel," Nanos stated regarding the family's involvement.

Savannah Guthrie suspended her broadcasting duties, including coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, to participate in the ongoing search for her mother. Family appeals on social media have not yet yielded any "proof of life" from those who abducted Nancy Guthrie.

What This Means

The clearing of family members represents a turning point in the investigation, allowing authorities to focus resources on identifying the unknown suspect or suspects responsible for Guthrie's abduction. Investigators continue to pursue leads and solicit information from the public as the case enters its third week with no confirmed sightings of the missing woman.

As of February 16, law enforcement stated that Guthrie's condition and whereabouts remain unknown. Authorities have described her as a vulnerable adult due to her age, mobility limitations, and medication dependence, though she has no known cognitive impairments. The investigation remains active, with forensic analysis ongoing and detectives continuing to review surveillance footage, digital evidence, and neighborhood camera systems.