Summary
Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC anchor Savannah Guthrie, was last seen on Jan. 31. Her disappearance remains the focus of an active investigation based in Tucson. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said on Feb. 16 that immediate family members — including siblings and their spouses — have been cleared as suspects and are being treated as victims. Investigators continue to examine evidence found near the home and are asking the public for tips.
Timeline and circumstances
Officials say Guthrie was dropped off at her home after a dinner with relatives and was reported missing the next day. She has limited mobility, needs daily medication and has a pacemaker; investigators say those facts make it unlikely she left the house on her own. Blood found on the front porch has tested positive as coming from Nancy Guthrie, which has heightened concern about possible foul play.
Key evidence
– A black glove recovered near the residence yielded DNA that investigators say matches the glove seen on a masked person in doorbell-camera footage. Authorities caution that additional testing is needed to confirm the match. – A doorbell camera recorded a masked individual on Feb. 1. The FBI’s Operational Technology Division analyzed the footage and provided a physical estimate: approximately 5’9″–5’10”, average build, carrying a black 25-liter Ozark Trail hiker pack. Investigators released images of that backpack style to generate leads. – Two ransom notes were reportedly sent to media outlets; officials say there is no verified contact tying the family to alleged captors and the authenticity of the notes remains under investigation.
Investigative work and lab testing
The handling and testing of DNA evidence has been a point of debate. The FBI offered testing at its national lab in Quantico; Sheriff Nanos has said the county will submit critical items — including the glove and other DNA samples — to DNA Labs International, a private lab in Florida, to keep testing consistent and limit transfers of evidence. Nanos has denied that this step would block the FBI, describing it instead as a way to preserve chain-of-custody and ensure items are tested together.
Federal involvement and tips
The FBI has established a continual on-site presence and a 24-hour operational hub to help process leads. Investigators say they have logged more than 13,000 tips. The reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery or to an arrest and conviction has been doubled to $100,000. Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.
Family, community and media response
Savannah Guthrie and other family members have made public appeals for information. Sheriff Nanos described the family as cooperative throughout the investigation and called suggestions of obstruction “wrong” and “cruel.” With national attention on the case, local victim services and community groups have mobilized to support the family and share safety information. Law enforcement has increased visible patrols in the area.
What investigators are focusing on
Detectives are prioritizing several threads: confirming and comparing DNA results, further analysis of surveillance footage, checking the provenance and authenticity of the ransom notes, and canvassing for witnesses or additional physical evidence. Chain-of-custody and laboratory turnaround times will be decisive in how quickly new findings are announced.
What to watch next
The investigators say the next measurable developments will likely be: final, laboratory-confirmed DNA results; any forensic linkage between the glove and the person in the footage; and corroborating surveillance or eyewitness accounts that place the suspect at other locations. Authorities emphasize caution: technical verifications and corroboration of leads are required before conclusions are drawn.
If you have information
Anyone who may have seen something relevant around the Guthrie residence between Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, or who recognizes the backpack or masked individual from released images, should contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit tips at tips.fbi.gov.
(Reporting is based on statements from the Pima County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI and public releases from investigators.)