FBI Expands Search for Missing Nancy Guthrie as SWAT Operations Intensify in Arizona

The search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has escalated dramatically, with SWAT operations, FBI forensic teams, and an expanding nationwide investigation focused on what authorities increasingly believe was a deliberate kidnapping.

Guthrie vanished from her home in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson, Arizona, overnight between January 31 and February 1, 2026. Her disappearance has drawn national attention, both because of her daughter’s prominence and because of troubling forensic evidence suggesting a coordinated abduction.

Backstory: The Night Nancy Guthrie Disappeared

Nancy Guthrie was last seen alive at approximately 9:50 p.m. on January 31, when family members dropped her off at her home after dinner.

Investigators later uncovered critical clues pointing to foul play:

• At 1:47 a.m., her doorbell camera was disconnected.
  
  

• Shortly afterward, her pacemaker lost connection with her phone, suggesting she was moved or incapacitated.
  
  

• Her personal belongings—including her phone—were left behind inside the home.
  
  

Family members became alarmed when Guthrie failed to attend church the next morning. They checked her home and found no sign of her, prompting a 911 call and the launch of an urgent search.

Sheriff Chris Nanos quickly confirmed investigators believed the disappearance was not voluntary, citing evidence that Guthrie had been taken against her will.

Surveillance Evidence Reveals Armed Suspect

One of the most significant breakthroughs came when federal investigators recovered digital surveillance images showing a masked individual near Guthrie’s home.

The FBI was able to retrieve footage from backend systems after it appeared the suspect had attempted to disable or erase recordings.

Images reportedly show an armed individual wearing a backpack and tampering with the home’s camera system—evidence authorities consider central to identifying the perpetrator.

The discovery triggered thousands of public tips and prompted a nationwide appeal for information.

SWAT Deployment and Detentions

In recent days, law enforcement has intensified operations:

• SWAT teams and FBI agents sealed off roads near Guthrie’s home.
  
  

• Several individuals were detained during search operations, though most were later released without charges.
  
  

• Investigators executed search warrants on homes and vehicles tied to potential suspects.
  
  

Authorities have also examined physical evidence recovered near the scene, including gloves that may contain forensic DNA.

Despite these developments, no suspect has been formally charged.

Massive Federal Investigation and Reward Increase

The FBI has deployed hundreds of agents, forensic specialists, and search teams across Arizona.

Officials say they have received tens of thousands of tips and are conducting extensive ground and digital searches.

The FBI has raised the reward for information leading to Guthrie’s recovery to $100,000, reflecting the urgency and seriousness of the case.

Authorities believe Guthrie may still be alive, and her family continues to make emotional public appeals for her safe return.

Family Appeals and Public Attention

Savannah Guthrie and her family have issued repeated pleas for help, sharing personal videos and messages urging anyone with information to come forward.

Law enforcement officials say the case remains active and ongoing, and they continue pursuing leads across multiple jurisdictions.

The disappearance has become one of the most high-profile missing-person cases in the United States in recent years.

Current Status: Active Investigation with No Arrests

As of February 14, 2026:

• Nancy Guthrie remains missing.
  
  

• No suspect has been formally charged.
  
  

• SWAT operations and forensic searches continue.
  
  

• The FBI reward remains active.
  
  

Authorities have emphasized that even small details could prove critical in solving the case.

Sources: CNN, Yahoo News, CBS, PBS, Reuters, The Guardian, FBI