Day 17: Desperate Search for Savannah Guthrie's Mother Intensifies – Masked Intruder, DNA Clues, and a Walmart Backpack Keep Hope Alive
The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC's TODAY co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has gripped the nation as it enters its third week. What began as a quiet evening in her Catalina Foothills home near Tucson, Arizona, on January 31, 2026, turned into a suspected abduction in the early hours of February 1. Authorities believe Nancy was taken against her will, and despite exhaustive efforts, she remains missing amid growing concern for her health—she relies on daily heart medication and faces mobility challenges.
A Masked Figure on Doorbell Footage
Key evidence surfaced quickly from Nancy's doorbell camera, which captured a masked individual—described as a man around 5'9" to 5'10" tall with an average build—approaching her door in the predawn darkness. He carried a standout item: a black 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack, sold exclusively at Walmart. To sharpen details from the low-light video, the FBI erected a white tent at the scene for controlled recreations, experimenting with lighting, reflections, and similar gear to refine the suspect's estimated height and appearance.
Forensic Breakthroughs and Lingering Leads
Investigators have collected foreign DNA from the property—not matching Nancy or her immediate family—and it's undergoing advanced lab analysis. Gloves recovered near the home (in a field about two miles away) appear to match those worn by the figure in the footage, adding another layer of potential evidence. A white van observed in the vicinity has been noted as a point of interest, though no firm link has been confirmed publicly.
The Pima County Sheriff's Office and FBI have fielded over 30,000 tips, with calls for residents in the surrounding area to review and share any home surveillance from late January onward. Inter-agency cooperation remains robust, despite occasional media reports of friction that local officials have firmly rebutted.
Family's Heartfelt Appeals
Savannah Guthrie, joined by siblings Annie and Camron, has kept the public updated through emotional social media posts and videos. Sharing cherished family clips, she has repeatedly expressed unwavering hope: "We still have hope, and we still believe." In a poignant message marking the two-week milestone, she addressed anyone with knowledge or involvement directly: "It is never too late to do the right thing." The family has voiced openness to any communication that could secure Nancy's safe return, even as unconfirmed rumors of ransom demands (including bitcoin-related claims) have circulated.
Escalating Reward and Community Support
The FBI has increased the reward to $100,000 for credible information leading to Nancy's recovery or the identification and prosecution of those responsible. This step highlights both the urgency and investigators' optimism in pursuing solid leads.
In the Catalina Foothills neighborhood, yellow ribbons adorn trees as symbols of hope, while neighbors maintain a touching memorial of flowers, candles, and messages near Nancy's home. Friends remember her as a compassionate community pillar, making her absence all the more profound.
As rain and thunderstorms challenge outdoor operations, the search presses on with helicopters, K-9 units, and multi-agency teams. Experts view the backpack, height profile, and emerging forensics as strong starting points, potentially aided by purchase records or other traces.
Nancy Guthrie is still out there, and the resolve of her family, law enforcement, and a supportive public endures. Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, 88-CRIME, or tips.fbi.gov—every detail matters in bringing her home safely.
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