The investigation into the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC host Savannah Guthrie, has intensified in recent days. In an interview with the New York Post on Monday, February 16, President Trump said he would vote for the death penalty if she fails to be returned alive, “The most, yeah that’s true, very, very severe. The most severe consequence if Guthrie is found dead.”
Guthrie was last seen the night of January 31, 2026 at her Tucson, Arizona home, and was reported missing as of February 1. Authorities believe she was abducted after disturbing footage of a masked person outside of her home was discovered the night of her disappearance.
Investigators say a glove was uncovered roughly two miles from Guthrie’s home, containing unknown male DNA. According to the FBI, the glove appears to match those worn by the individual seen tampering with Guthrie’s doorbell camera. The trespasser is described as a male measuring between 5’9 and 5’10 in height. He was seen wearing gloves, a mask, and was carrying a 25-liter Ozark Trail backpack. In an interview with Fox News on February 16, FBI supervisory agent Jason Pack explained that strict procedures must be followed prior to the DNA being entered into the national database for processing.
“Even when everything moves smoothly, investigators are usually talking about weeks, not days. That doesn’t mean nothing is happening. It means the system is moving carefully, under urgency, and the way it was designed to work,” Pack said. The DNA processing system, or Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), will compare the profile against DNA samples from convicted offenders and other crime scenes.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department says between 40,000 and 50,000 tips have poured in as the case has gained national attention. Also, the FBI has increased its reward for information leading to Guthrie’s location or an arrest leading to conviction to $100,000.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has since announced that the Guthrie family has been fully invested in the investigation and has been cleared as suspects in the case. Nanos described the Guthrie families as “nothing but cooperative and gracious,” urging the public to remain compassionate during this devastating time. “I’m not going to sit in silence when others are attacking the innocent. Isn’t that what the badge represents?” Nanos said in an interview with NBC news.
Investigators say they are still investigating the reasoning behind Guthrie’s abduction, for while some ransom messages have been released (one bitcoin demand and cash requests of up to $6 million), no definite motive has been determined. “And that’s what makes me say this is a kidnapping, the motivation for it however is where we get stuck,” Nanos said in a separate interview.
The case has drawn national attention due partially to Savannah Guthrie and her sibling’s emotional public appeals for their mother’s safe return. Their appearances began on February 4, demanding “proof of life” following an eerie ransom letter from the captor. Most recently, on February 15, Savannah directly addressed the abductor, “It’s never too late. You are not lost or alone, and it is never too late to do the right thing,” she said.
The FBI continues to analyze numerous pieces of evidence, most notably being “touch DNA” recovered from the discarded glove. Analysis experts say even small genetic fragments, or “DNA confetti,” are crucial in the solving of cases.
Authorities have not publicly named suspects, and no arrests have been made in relation to Guthrie’s disappearance. However, a man by the name of Derrick Callella was convicted of sending a fake ransom note to the family and was prosecuted in federal court last week.
As the third week of the search for Nancy Guthrie begins, law enforcement officials have stressed that the case remains open and will not be considered cold until Guthrie is found. With thousands of leads under review, and more evidence brought to light each day, the nation continues to hope for Nancy Guthrie’s safe return.
