The sheriff leading the search for Nancy Guthrie, who disappeared from her Tucson home on February 1, 2026, has withdrawn a request for surveillance footage after learning that a key image might not have been captured on the date initially believed. Authorities continue to investigate her disappearance, which is being treated as a kidnapping.
Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie
Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today Show co-host Savannah Guthrie, is believed to have been kidnapped from her home by a masked man in the early hours of February 1. Surveillance footage from a doorbell camera shows the suspect tampering with the device around 2 a.m. on the day she vanished.
Investigators initially focused on gathering footage from local residents, requesting images from January 11 (between 9 p.m. and midnight) and January 31 (between 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.). Despite extensive investigation over the past eight weeks, no new leads have been uncovered, and Nancy remains missing.
Family’s Appeal for Assistance
In a recent statement, Savannah Guthrie’s family emphasized key dates in their ongoing search for Nancy. They asked the public to focus on the timelines of January 31, February 1, and January 11. The family’s plea was highlighted during KVOA News 4 Tucson’s special broadcast titled Bring Her Home: The Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie on March 21.
Discrepancy in Surveillance Footage
On March 23, NBC News’ Liz Kreutz shared an Instagram post detailing an update from Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos. Initially, investigators thought an image from Nancy’s Nest camera, showing the suspect without a backpack, was taken on January 11. However, after further investigation, Google clarified that they could not confirm the exact date of the footage.
The FBI Phoenix office had previously released the video, showing a person wearing a ski mask and gloves tampering with Nancy’s doorbell camera. The image was recovered from residual data in backend systems, but the date was later called into question.
Investigators’ Beliefs About the Kidnapping
Sheriff Nanos discussed the potential motive behind the kidnapping in a March 12 NBC News interview. He stated that investigators believed the crime was targeted and had a specific reason, although they were not yet completely certain. No further details about the motive have been disclosed.
DNA Evidence Analysis
In addition to analyzing surveillance footage, investigators are continuing to review DNA evidence collected from Nancy’s home. Blood found on the porch has been confirmed to match Nancy’s DNA. Sheriff Nanos remains hopeful that this evidence will eventually lead them to a suspect.
