The Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie: Timeline, Controversy, Kidnapping Suspect, FBI Involvement, and Intense Public Interest in 2026

The case of nancy guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s Today show co-anchor savannah guthrie, has gripped the nation since her reported abduction from her home in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson, Arizona, in early February 2026. Authorities, led by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and supported by the FBI, treat this as a confirmed kidnapping, with the elderly victim requiring daily heart medication and facing severe health risks without it. The investigation has produced key evidence like doorbell camera footage of a masked suspect, but mysteries persist, fueling widespread speculation, tips (over 18,000 reported), and public fascination.

As the search enters its second week-plus (as of February 13, 2026), here’s a detailed breakdown of the case, optimized for clarity and search visibility on terms like “Nancy Guthrie disappearance timeline,” “kidnapping suspect,” “FBI involvement,” and related controversies.

Timeline of Events

January 31, 2026 (evening): Nancy Guthrie is dropped off at her home around 9:30–9:50 p.m. by her son-in-law, tommaso cioni, after spending time with family (including daughter Annie). This is her last confirmed sighting by loved ones.
February 1, 2026 (early morning): Between ~1:47 a.m. and 2:28 a.m., her front doorbell camera is disconnected. Motion is detected around 2:12 a.m., and her pacemaker app disconnects from her phone (left behind at home). Surveillance footage later shows a masked, armed individual on her porch.
February 1, 2026 (morning): Nancy fails to join a scheduled virtual church service, prompting concern.
February 1, 2026 (~noon): Family checks her home, finds no trace, and reports her missing to authorities. Pima County Sheriff’s Department responds quickly, citing her age, mobility issues, medications, and abandoned belongings.
February 2–10, 2026: Investigation escalates; FBI joins. Initial searches, neighborhood canvassing, and analysis of evidence occur. Ransom notes (some deemed hoaxes) surface to media outlets.
February ~10–11, 2026: fbi releases black-and-white doorbell footage of a masked figure (ski mask, gloves, backpack, apparent holstered handgun). A person of interest is detained in Rio Rico after a traffic stop but released without charges; he denies involvement.
February 12–13, 2026: FBI provides suspect description (male, 5’9″–5’10”, average build, carrying black 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack) after forensic video analysis. Reward doubles to $100,000. Gloves recovered near the area are sent for testing. Authorities request neighborhood surveillance footage from January onward (within ~2-mile radius). Savannah Guthrie shares emotional home videos of her mother, stating, “We will never give up on her.”

The case remains active, with ongoing searches, tip processing, and appeals for public help.

The Kidnapping Suspect

The primary lead is footage from Nancy Guthrie’s doorbell camera showing a masked individual at her door in the early hours of February 1. Key details released by the FBI on February 13:

Male, approximately 5’9″ to 5’10” tall.
Average build.
Wearing a black 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack.
Appeared armed (possible holstered handgun) and gloved, with a ski mask.

Experts, including former FBI agents, have described the suspect’s actions as amateurish—mistakes in approach and evidence handling suggest inexperience rather than a professional operation. No arrest has been made, and the individual remains at large. A brief person of interest (detained February 11) was cleared.

FBI Involvement

The FBI Phoenix Field Office joined early and has taken a leading role in forensics, tip management (over 13,000 calls to FBI lines), and evidence analysis (e.g., doorbell video enhancement by the Operational Technology Division). The agency doubled its reward to $100,000 for information leading to Nancy’s location or arrests/convictions. A 24-hour command post processes leads, with agents supporting local efforts.

Some reports indicate tensions, including claims that Pima County Sheriff chris nanos initially limited FBI access to certain evidence, though joint operations continue. The FBI urges tips via 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.

Controversy and Challenges

Jurisdictional friction: Anonymous sources alleged the sheriff blocked FBI access to key evidence, potentially slowing progress—though unconfirmed officially.
Ransom notes and hoaxes: Multiple notes (including demands for Bitcoin) reached media; most appear fraudulent, complicating the probe.
Brief detention scrutiny: The Rio Rico man’s short detention and release sparked questions about leads.
Amateur vs. targeted: Debate over whether this was opportunistic (given the suspect’s apparent errors) or motivated (e.g., ransom or personal).
Elderly victim vulnerability: Nancy’s age, health needs, and solo living raise alarms; experts note rare elderly abductions add urgency.

No family involvement has been suggested; focus remains external.

Intense Public Interest

The case has exploded due to Savannah Guthrie’s celebrity status, drawing comparisons to historic abductions (e.g., Lindbergh baby parallels noted by experts). Coverage from CNN, NBC, BBC, NYT, Fox, and others includes daily updates, expert panels, and emotional family pleas. Savannah’s social media posts— including childhood videos—have amplified calls for help, with statements like “We will never give up on her” resonating widely.

Over 18,000 tips flooded in after footage release (thousands in single days), highlighting doorbell cameras’ role and public engagement. The story’s relatability—an elderly mother in peril—plus celebrity ties, has kept it dominating headlines amid competing news.

Nancy Guthrie remains missing. Authorities believe she may still be alive but stress time is critical due to her medical needs. If you have information, contact the FBI immediately (1-800-CALL-FBI, tips.fbi.gov) or Pima County Sheriff’s tip line (88-CRIME or local channels). Hope persists for her safe return.