The disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, the mother of longtime ‘Today’ co-host Savannah Guthrie, has sparked an intense multi-agency investigation in Tucson, Arizona. The search for Nancy Guthrie has entered its 12th day. Authorities believe she was abducted from her home in the early hours of February 1. Security cameras captured a masked individual on her front porch. With thousands of tips pouring in, ransom reports being investigated, and the FBI offering a reward, investigators race against time to find out what happened and bring her home safely.
As hundreds of detectives and federal agents continue to work the case, authorities say thousands of tips are being reviewed.
Here’s what we know so far.
When did Nancy Guthrie disappear?
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at approximately 9:50 a.m
AFTERNOON. on January 31 when she was dropped off at her home after dinner with her family.
Investigators believe she was abducted sometime after 1:47 a.m. on February 1 when her doorbell camera disconnected. Her family discovered she was missing late Sunday morning and called 911 at 12:03 a.m.
How long has she been missing?
As of the 12th, Nancy Guthrie had been missing for nearly two weeks since February 1st.
Do authorities believe it was a kidnapping?
Yes. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said Nancy Guthrie “did not go alone” and was taken against her will.
DNA tests confirmed that the blood found on her front porch was hers, bolstering investigators’ belief that there was a violent encounter.
What does the surveillance footage show?
The FBI released black-and-white photos and video showing a masked individual wearing a gun holster and backpack on Nancy Guthrie’s porch the morning she disappeared.
Authorities say the person appears to have tampered with the front door camera. However, the footage does not show what happened to Guthrie.
Investigators spent days restoring damaged or overwritten footage before releasing the images.
Has anyone been arrested?
No arrests have been made.
A man was arrested near the US-Mexico border after surveillance footage was released. His Rio Rico home was searched and he was questioned for several hours before being released without charge. No suspect or person of interest has been formally identified, according to authorities.
Were ransom demands made?
Yes. Messages claiming to be from the hijacker were sent to local media and demanded payment in bitcoins and set deadlines that had since passed.
Investigators say they are taking the reports seriously but have not confirmed their authenticity. It is unclear whether there was direct communication between the family and whoever sent the messages.
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have publicly stated that they are willing to pay for their mother’s safe return.
Is Nancy Guthrie believed to be alive?
Authorities have not confirmed her condition.
However, her family said they believed she was still alive. Investigators expressed concern because she needs more medication and could face serious health complications without it.
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What evidence has been obtained so far?
Authorities confirmed:
The blood on the porch matches Nancy Guthrie’s DNA
Surveillance images of an armed, masked individual
A pair of black gloves were found during searches and are now undergoing DNA testing
Investigators also requested footage from nearby residents for specific dates in January and early February.
How extensive is the investigation?
The case expanded into a large-scale operation involving several hundred detectives and FBI agents.
More than 4,000 tips were received within 24 hours of the surveillance images being posted. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the safe return of Nancy Guthrie.
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