Nancy Guthrie Case: Why Sheriff Thinks Suspect Could Strike Again

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Chris Nanos isn’t putting anything outside the realm of possibility. 

With the search still underway for Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, the Pima County Sheriff has openly discussed the possibility that whoever took her might commit another crime.

Chris told NBC Nightly News’ Liz Kreutz that they have a good idea of the shooter’s motive and suspect it was a targeted attack, but they aren’t completely certain. Because of this, he explained, it would be irresponsible to assure the public they weren’t in danger.

He warned everyone not to assume they were safe just because the Guthrie family had been affected. He urged people to stay alert and aware of their surroundings.

When asked why someone would kidnap the 84-year-old, the sheriff wouldn’t reveal what he thought might be the reason.

He explained that they’ve held firm to their initial understanding of the situation from the very beginning, and that hasn’t changed.

Chris didn’t share many details, but reporter Liz noted that the sheriff’s department is deliberately keeping their ideas about what happened and other case information secret, claiming it’s to protect the investigation.

Oh my gosh, you guys, Savannah Guthrie was back on the Today show set today! It was so emotional, because it was the first time since her mom went missing in January. I was seriously holding my breath watching her, hoping she was doing okay. It just broke my heart to see her there without her mom, but she was so strong! I’m just sending all the love to Nancy’s family right now.

Jenna Bush Hager, a co-host on Savannah’s Today show, said that Savannah greeted and hugged everyone working on the show during a visit on March 5th.

Jenna said she wants to come back to the show, even though it’s really challenging for her. She considers it her second home and feels incredibly loved by everyone involved, and we’re all thrilled to have her back.

Although Savannah Guthrie’s return to Today is still uncertain, Jenna Bush Hager expressed her happiness at seeing her, saying, “It was so good to get to hug her.”

The host of Today With Jenna and Sheinelle also mentioned how much Savannah and her family – including her siblings, Annie and Camron Guthrie – appreciate the support they’ve received from viewers.

She said that Savannah is deeply touched by all the flowers, pins, and prayers she’s received, and really relies on that support. They are incredibly grateful for everyone’s continued love and support, especially for Savannah, Annie, Cam, and their families, as she means the world to them.

For more insight into the search for Nancy, read on. 

Nancy Guthrie, mother to Annie, Camron, and Savannah Guthrie, was last seen at her home in Tucson, Arizona, around 9:30 p.m. on January 31st, according to police.

Police confirmed to Today that Nancy, age 84, was reported missing on February 1st. Her family became worried when a friend told them she hadn’t attended church that morning. After searching her property for about an hour, they contacted authorities and reported her missing around noon.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos later explained the first steps investigators took at the victim’s home, including work by homicide detectives.

As a lifestyle expert who often follows local news, I was struck by what the authorities shared with reporters on February 2nd. They explained that while they don’t usually respond to situations like this one, the details coming out of the house were deeply troubling. It wasn’t just the initial report; what they actually found inside really stood out and raised serious concerns. It was a truly unusual scene.

“This isn’t how we usually handle things,” Nanos explained. “Normally, our homicide detectives are called to investigate when someone dies. In this case, we sent them based solely on the information the surveyors provided.”

After looking into what happened, officials said they think a crime occurred at Nancy’s house.

During a press conference on February 2nd, Nanos stated that investigators now believe they have confirmed a crime scene after processing the area. He asked for the public’s assistance, noting that the community has consistently helped solve difficult cases and he hopes they will do so again.

The sheriff pointed out that Nancy had difficulty walking—she couldn’t walk even a short distance on her own—which led him to suspect something wasn’t right about her disappearance.

He stated definitively, “She didn’t simply leave on her own,” and explained that evidence at the location suggests she didn’t leave voluntarily.

The search for Nancy is ongoing, and officials are concerned because she requires daily medication to stay healthy, and she likely doesn’t have it with her.

During the February 2nd press conference, Nanos explained that the patient is an 84-year-old woman with health problems who needs medication urgently. Without it within 24 hours, her condition could be life-threatening.

We’re asking anyone with information about this case – if you’ve seen or heard anything at all – to please get in touch. Call 911. We want to avoid another tragedy and really need the public’s help.

Although Nancy has faced some health challenges, Dr. Nanos highlighted that her mind remains sharp.

According to Nanos, Nancy Guthrie is mentally alert and this situation isn’t connected to dementia. She’s very sharp and aware. The family wants to assure everyone that she didn’t simply wander off, and any physical limitations she has are simply due to her age.

With the search for Nancy still ongoing, Nanos expressed his wish for her to come home safely.

“I hope we find her safe and sound,” he emphasized, “but we cannot ignore what’s in front of us.”

The day after Nancy was reported missing, the anchor of the Today show publicly shared how difficult this time is for her family.

In a statement to NBC’s morning show on February 2nd, she expressed her family’s gratitude for all the support, prayers, and kind messages they’ve received. Their main priority right now is bringing Nancy home safely.

She expressed gratitude to law enforcement for their efforts in the case and asked anyone with relevant information to reach out to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.

Once Savannah Guthrie learned her mother, Nancy, had been reported missing, her colleagues on the Today show immediately voiced their support.

Jenna Bush Hager shared on the February 2nd episode of Today with Jenna & Sheinelle that she and Nancy are close friends, saying, “We love Nancy. I know her personally.”

She continued, saying they were keeping Savannah and her family in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Meanwhile, Sheinelle Jones emphasized the importance of community during this difficult time. 

She felt the show was at its best when it called on viewers to help, asking them to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s department with any information about the case, even if it seemed insignificant.

She added, “So we’re sending our prayers but we’re also sending our collective action.”

Before concluding the segment, both hosts continued, “We love you, Savannah.”

And Sunday Today anchor Willie Geist also urged fans to keep an eye out for Nancy.

On February 2nd, he posted on Instagram asking anyone with information about the whereabouts of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy, to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department in Arizona. He also included the department’s phone number, stating that she was missing.

Savannah’s former colleague, Hoda Kotb, also responded to the surprising announcement by posting a heartwarming photo of Savannah and Nancy together on the Today show set. In a simple message on Instagram from February 2nd, Hoda shared a red heart and praying hands emoji.

Police have labeled Nancy’s home in Arizona a crime scene, but they don’t think the public needs to be concerned for their safety.

Pima County Sheriff Nanos said at a press conference on February 2nd that he doesn’t believe there’s a current danger, but emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and much work remains.

Savannah hasn’t appeared on Today since February 1st, when her mother was reported missing. However, local authorities have been checking in with her to ensure her well-being.

The sheriff confirmed they had spoken with her. Her security team has been communicating with them all night, but they aren’t ruling anything out yet.

On Feb. 2, Pima County police shared a series of updates on the timeline of Nancy’s disappearance.

According to the Pima County Sheriff’s Office, investigators now think the woman was likely taken from her home against her will, potentially while she was sleeping. They are currently investigating the case as a possible kidnapping.

After news broke that Nancy might have been taken from her home in Arizona while she was sleeping, Savannah made a heartfelt plea.

In a recent Instagram post on February 2nd, she shared her faith, writing, ‘We believe in the power of prayer, in people coming together with love and hope, in the goodness of humanity, and most importantly, in God.’

Savannah continued, thanking everyone for praying for her mother, Nancy, whom she described as a woman of strong beliefs and a devoted person. She asked for continued prayers, believing they would help Nancy right now.

She added, “we need you.”

To conclude her plea, Savannah shared a Bible verse from Isaiah.

She shared a verse from Isaiah, writing, ‘He will keep those with steadfast hearts and unwavering trust in the Lord in perfect peace.’ She believed this message held timeless wisdom for everyone.

Savannah continued, “Bring her home.”

Pima County Sheriff Nanos stated that DNA evidence was discovered at Nancy’s house, which is now being treated as a crime scene.

We collected samples and are hoping they contain enough DNA to help us identify what we’re looking for,” he said in a report shared on Today on February 3.

Two days after Nancy went missing, Nanos explained what happened leading up to her disappearance at a press conference.

According to Nanos, the doorbell camera stopped working at 1:47 a.m., about four hours after she got back from a family visit. She shared this information at a press conference on February 5th.

The software identified someone at the door, but the video was automatically deleted because Nancy didn’t pay for a subscription. However, the representative assured her they were still working to recover the footage.

The sheriff explained that Nancy’s pacemaker app lost connection to her phone at 2:28 a.m. The family found her missing at 11:56 a.m., and 911 was called to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department just three minutes later, at 12:03 p.m.

About ten minutes after receiving the call, he explained that patrol teams would arrive, assess the situation, and then begin a response involving both search-and-rescue and detective units.

On February 4th, Savannah, Camron, and Annie read letters hoping to secure their mother’s safe return. The letters were addressed to both their mom, Nancy, and anyone who might be holding her, asking for her to come home safely.

In a video posted to Instagram, the family said they are doing everything possible and are willing to communicate. They emphasized the prevalence of manipulated media and urgently requested undeniable proof that their loved one is alive and in the possession of whoever has her.

She explained, “My mom is the center of our world and everything to us.” She’s very frail and lives with constant pain, but she doesn’t have the medication she needs to feel better and stay healthy. It’s essential for her well-being and to relieve her suffering.”

The next day, Camron confirmed in a separate video that the family was still “waiting for contact.”

As someone who often advises on navigating difficult family situations, I can tell you communication is everything. Right now, we’re reaching out to whoever has our mother, hoping they’ll make contact. We haven’t had any direct communication yet, and honestly, we just need to open up a line of communication so we can start working towards a resolution. It’s about finding a way to talk and move forward, and we’re really hoping the person holding her will reach out.

During a press conference on February 5th, FBI Special Agent Heith Janke announced the arrest of Derrick Callella of California. Callella is accused of sending fake text messages as part of an attempt to profit from the situation. Authorities are also taking a detailed ransom letter, which was shared with TMZ, very seriously. Callella has not yet entered a plea and was released on a $20,000 bond.

However, he noted, the Guthrie family was “still waiting for communication.”

On February 7th, the day officials told Today they had searched Annie’s Arizona home as a routine part of the investigation, Savannah posted another Instagram video suggesting they had received what they’d asked for.

Speaking while holding hands with Camron and Annie, she said they understood the message received and pleaded for their mother’s return, explaining it was the only thing that would bring them peace and allow them to celebrate with her.

And if her intentions weren’t clear, Savannah added, “This is very valuable to us and we will pay.”

Investigators shared surveillance photos of a person of interest in the case on February 10th.

Footage from a camera on Nancy’s property shows someone wearing a ski mask and carrying a backpack walking up to the house. The person then appears to punch the camera, breaking it. Police had previously noted the camera was damaged when they arrived.

For the past eight days, the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department have been collaborating with private companies to find any lost, damaged, or hidden images and videos from Nancy Guthrie’s home. This effort included recovering data after recording devices were removed. The recovered video was found as leftover data within those systems, according to a statement shared with TopMob News.

“Working with our partners,” the note continued, “law enforcement has uncovered these previously inaccessible new images showing an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door the morning of her disappearance.”

After the FBI shared video of the masked person near Nancy’s house, investigators provided a description of the suspect.

According to the FBI’s Phoenix office, the suspect is a man around 5’9” to 5’10” tall with an average build. He was seen in a video wearing a black ‘Ozark Trail Hiker Pack’ backpack that holds about 25 liters.

The FBI is now offering a $100,000 reward – up from $50,000 – for information that helps find Nancy Guthrie or leads to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve been following the Nancy disappearance closely, and after over two weeks, Pima County Sheriff Nanos finally released some information to help us understand who investigators are looking at as potential persons of interest. It’s a relief to finally have a clearer picture of where the investigation is headed.

I was so relieved to hear the official statement on February 16th. The detective made it very clear that the entire Guthrie family – all the siblings and their spouses – have been completely cleared as suspects. They’ve been incredibly helpful throughout the investigation, and honestly, it’s become clear they’re victims in all of this, just like everyone else affected.

The gloves discovered close to Nancy’s house didn’t seem to connect with the rest of the evidence in the case, according to police.

On March 2nd, Pima County Sheriff Nanos explained to KVOA, the local NBC station, that about three weeks prior, they had found a pair of gloves with DNA around two miles from the victim’s home. At the time, investigators genuinely thought the gloves were related to a restaurant.

Although some people noticed the gloves in the doorbell footage looked similar to those worn by the suspect, Nanos dismissed this as just a guess. Investigators had already identified the gloves’ owner – an employee at a local restaurant – and confirmed they weren’t connected to the crime.

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2026-03-13 17:52