Nancy Guthrie Disappearance: Task Force Awaits Critical Forensic Results as Search Hits Third Week
Catalina Foothills, Arizona – The search for missing 84-year-old Nancy Ellen Guthrie, mother of NBC Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has entered its third week with investigators awaiting key forensic results from multiple search sites. A multi-agency task force, including local, state, and federal authorities, continues an intensive criminal investigation after evidence at her home indicated she was taken against her will.[1]
From Welfare Check to Criminal Probe
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her Catalina Foothills home, just outside Tucson, on the evening of January 31, 2026. Her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni – married to daughter Annie Guthrie – dropped her off around 9:50 p.m. When family members conducted a welfare check the next day, they discovered signs of a struggle, prompting Pima County Sheriff’s Department to classify the case as an abduction.[1]
Sheriff Chris Nanos quickly escalated resources, deploying K-9 units, drones, aerial surveillance, and assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. By February 2, the operation shifted from search-and-rescue to a full criminal investigation, as no trace of Guthrie surfaced despite exhaustive efforts.[1]
Key Developments in the Investigation
- Video Evidence Breakthrough: Surveillance footage captured a person at Guthrie’s door in the early hours of February 1, generating a flood of tips. Experts note that while many leads are unproductive, the video has directed searches to promising areas, including multiple roadways in Catalina Foothills.[2]
- Person of Interest Released: On February 11, authorities released a man questioned after a traffic stop in Rio Rico, about an hour south of Tucson near the Mexico border. His identity remains undisclosed, and no charges were filed.[2]
- Multiple Home Searches: Late last Friday, investigators executed a search warrant at a second residence roughly two miles from Guthrie’s home – the latest in a series of targeted operations. Details from these searches are under wraps pending forensic analysis.[3]
- FBI Roadway Sweeps: Federal agents combed roadways around Catalina Foothills on February 12, following tips from the public.[2]
As of February 12, Guthrie’s condition and whereabouts remain unknown. Family social media appeals have not yielded evidence she is alive, heightening concerns.[1]
Family’s Heartbreaking Vigil
Savannah Guthrie, one of Nancy’s three children, suspended her broadcasting duties – including 2026 Winter Olympics coverage – to aid the search. In a poignant statement, she expressed gratitude to law enforcement and the public, pleading, “Urge anyone with information about her mother’s whereabouts to contact authorities.”[1]
Task Force’s Next Steps
The joint task force now hinges on forensic results from the recent home searches and other evidence collection sites. Pima County officials have not commented on specific findings but emphasized the investigation’s active status. “We’re following every lead aggressively,” a spokesperson said, declining further details to protect the case.[1][2][3]
The case’s national profile has amplified public tips, though authorities caution that volume includes false leads. Security video from Guthrie’s home remains a pivotal clue, with analysts sifting through enhanced footage for identifiers.[2]
“There’s a lot of leads in there that aren’t going to be legitimate, but there’s some that absolutely are, and that’s what they’re going to be focusing on – for now.” – Jennifer Bjorkland, NBC News[2]
Community and National Response
Catalina Foothills residents have rallied, organizing volunteer searches and prayer vigils. The disappearance’s proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border has sparked speculation, though officials stress no evidence points to cross-border involvement.[2]
Nationwide media coverage, fueled by Savannah Guthrie’s prominence, keeps pressure on investigators. NBC colleagues have filled her Today slot, with on-air segments updating the public daily.
Broader Context of Elderly Disappearances
Guthrie’s case underscores vulnerabilities for seniors living alone. Experts note Arizona’s vast desert terrain complicates searches, where evidence can vanish quickly. Similar high-profile cases, like the 2024 disappearance of a Tucson retiree, highlight the need for advanced tech like AI-enhanced video analysis now in play here.[1]
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department urges tips via their hotline or FBI channels. “Time is critical,” Sheriff Nanos reiterated. “Nancy Guthrie deserves to come home.”[1]
Anyone with information is asked to contact:
Pima County Sheriff’s Department: (520) 351-4545
FBI Tip Line: 1-800-CALL-FBI
This story will update as new developments emerge. The search for Nancy Guthrie presses on into week three, with hope pinned on forensic breakthroughs.