As of September 18, 2026, Nancy Guthrie remains missing, more than seven months after the 84-year-old mother of “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie disappeared from her Tucson, Arizona, home.
Guthrie was last seen at her residence in the Catalina Foothills area on January 31, with authorities reporting that she was apparently abducted in the early hours of February 1. The FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department continue to investigate the case, and no confirmed recovery has been announced.
The case has generated extensive searches, forensic testing, public appeals and a seven-figure reward. Investigators have also released ransom notes and surveillance images in an effort to generate new leads.
Quick Guide
- Missing person: Nancy Guthrie
- Age: 84
- Location: Tucson, Arizona
- Last seen: January 31, 2026
- Reported missing: February 1, 2026
- Investigation: Led locally by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department with federal involvement
- Current status: Still missing
- Human remains found nearby: Yes, but authorities said there was no indication they were connected to Guthrie’s case
- DNA evidence: A mixed sample remains under investigation
- Reward: More than $1 million has been offered by the Guthrie family, with additional reward money previously offered by law enforcement
Latest Update in the Nancy Guthrie Case
One of the most significant recent developments came in August, when human remains were discovered in a desert area near West Ajo Way and South La Cholla Boulevard, approximately 15 miles from Guthrie’s home.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said there was no indication at the time that the remains were connected to the Nancy Guthrie investigation. Officials also said the remains appeared to have been at the location for an extended period.
The discovery renewed public attention on Guthrie’s disappearance, but authorities cautioned against assuming a connection between the two cases.
What Investigators Have Learned From DNA Evidence
Forensic testing has produced some information but has not publicly identified a suspect.
In July, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said testing of a hair recovered from Guthrie’s home had been completed and did not point to a suspect. Investigators are also examining a mixed DNA sample recovered from the residence.
According to ABC News, the sample may contain DNA from as many as four people. Multiple laboratories, including the FBI laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, have been working to determine whether the evidence can be separated and interpreted.
So far, authorities have not announced a confirmed DNA match connecting a named suspect to the disappearance.
Ransom Notes Raise New Questions
Authorities released two ransom notes in late July, roughly six months after Guthrie disappeared.
The first note demanded millions of dollars in Bitcoin and claimed Guthrie was alive. The message also contained specific details about her home, including references to a smartwatch and a damaged backyard floodlight. Those details were among the reasons investigators took the communication seriously.
A second note, sent several days later, made a different claim. It stated that Guthrie had died shortly after she was taken and that she had been buried “in nature.”
Importantly, the statement about Guthrie’s death came from the person who sent the note and has not been independently confirmed by authorities. The release of the notes was intended in part to encourage members of the public to recognize distinctive wording or other clues that could help investigators identify the writer.
FBI Adjusts Its Tucson Operations
The FBI has reduced some of its personnel in Tucson and shifted its command post to Phoenix. That operational change does not mean the investigation has been closed.
Recent reporting indicates that agents continue working with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department while focusing on investigative leads, forensic evidence and information collected from the public.
The change also reflects a shift from the intense initial search effort toward longer-term investigative work.
Surveillance Footage Remains Important
Investigators have previously released images and video showing a masked individual near Guthrie’s home around the time of her disappearance.
Authorities have asked the public to examine the footage and consider whether they recognize the individual or noticed unusual activity in the area.
No publicly identified suspect has been established in connection with the disappearance.
Reward Remains Available
The search has also been supported by a substantial financial reward.
The Guthrie family offered a $1 million reward for information leading to Nancy’s recovery, while the FBI separately announced a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to her recovery and/or the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Later reporting placed the combined reward at approximately $1.2 million or more.
Anyone with credible information should contact law enforcement rather than attempting to investigate the case independently.
NBC Increases Security
The disappearance has also had an impact on security surrounding Savannah Guthrie’s workplace.
In September, reports said NBC increased security measures at the “Today” show studio at 30 Rockefeller Center in New York following several incidents, including an intruder incident involving other members of the program. Reporting has connected the heightened security environment to concerns following Nancy Guthrie’s abduction.
Where the Investigation Stands
Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance remains an active investigation.
The discovery of human remains southwest of Tucson has not been publicly linked to Guthrie’s case, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. Meanwhile, forensic investigators continue examining DNA evidence, authorities continue reviewing tips and surveillance information, and the FBI remains involved.
The ransom notes have added another layer to the investigation, but the claims contained in those messages should not be treated as confirmation of Guthrie’s fate.
As of September 18, 2026, there has been no verified announcement that Nancy Guthrie has been found.
The case therefore remains unresolved, with investigators continuing to seek information that could establish what happened to her and identify those responsible.
If you have credible information about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, contact the FBI or Pima County Sheriff’s Department directly. Do not rely on social-media speculation or unverified online claims.