The search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has entered a harrowing new phase as authorities released a series of previously withheld surveillance images and video footage linked to a person of interest. What began as a puzzling disappearance from a quiet home in the Catalina Foothills outside Tucson, Arizona, has transformed into an urgent, high-stakes investigation marked by chilling evidence that has left even veteran investigators visibly shaken.
The materials, made public on February 12 and 13, 2026, include doorbell camera recordings and still photos depicting a masked individual on Nancy Guthrie’s porch in the early hours surrounding her vanishing, shifting the case from one of cautious hope to a desperate race against time.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen alive on the evening of January 31, 2026. Family members, including her son-in-law Tommaso Cioni, had dropped her off at her residence after a family dinner. She was expected to join a friend for a virtual church service the following morning, February 1, but never appeared. When concerned loved ones checked on her around noon that day, she was gone. There were no signs of forced entry at first glance, but subtle clues—such as blood later confirmed through DNA testing to be hers on the porch—quickly pointed to foul play.
Authorities, including the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI, classified the incident as an abduction almost immediately, believing the frail grandmother was taken against her will while possibly asleep or unaware in the dead of night.
For the first 10 days, the investigation proceeded with frustrating silence. Tips poured in—more than 13,000 according to FBI statements—but concrete leads remained elusive. The family, led by Savannah Guthrie, turned to social media in emotional pleas. In one widely shared video, Savannah appeared visibly distraught, her voice cracking as she addressed the public and whoever might hold her mother: “We believe our mom is still out there.
We are at an hour of desperation, and we need your help.” She emphasized Nancy’s fragile health, noting her age and limited mobility, and begged for any information that could bring her home safely. Siblings Annie and Camron joined in similar appeals, posting montages of family photos and old home videos to humanize their mother and remind the world of the loving grandmother she is.
The tone changed dramatically with the release of new evidence. On February 12, the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Office shared surveillance stills and short video clips on official channels and social media. The footage, captured by a doorbell camera at Nancy’s home, shows a figure—described as male, approximately 5’9″ to 5’10” tall with an average build—approaching the front door in the predawn hours of February 1. The individual wears a mask, carries a black 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack, and appears to tamper with the camera.
In one disturbing sequence, the person picks up nearby vegetation and uses it to obscure the lens, suggesting deliberate efforts to avoid detection. Authorities described the clips as a “game changer,” providing the clearest view yet of a potential suspect. FBI Director Kash Patel personally highlighted the materials in a statement, urging anyone with information to come forward.
Investigators have stressed that the videos are deeply unsettling. Sources close to the case report that the footage left seasoned officials shaken, not only because of the calculated nature of the actions but also due to the vulnerability of the victim—an elderly woman alone in her home. The masked figure’s movements are methodical: approaching cautiously, interacting with the door area, and then covering the camera before departing. While no weapon is clearly visible in the released portions, early descriptions from law enforcement hinted at the individual being armed, adding to the sense of menace.
The release of these images and clips has intensified public attention, with neighbors and online communities scrutinizing every frame for clues.
Compounding the tension, authorities recovered additional physical evidence in recent days. A pair of black gloves was found in the vicinity of Nancy’s home and sent for forensic analysis, including DNA testing. Investigators have not confirmed whether the gloves are directly tied to the suspect, but their discovery has fueled speculation about efforts to avoid leaving fingerprints or other traces. Law enforcement has also erected a tent outside the residence, a common sight at active crime scenes, signaling ongoing searches and processing of the property.
Residents within a two-mile radius have been asked to submit any doorbell or security camera footage capturing vehicles or individuals in the weeks leading up to January 31, broadening the net for potential witnesses or overlooked details.
The FBI doubled its reward to $100,000 for information leading to Nancy’s location or the arrest and conviction of those responsible, underscoring the agency’s commitment to resolving the case. Special Agent in Charge statements emphasized that no motive has been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made. Speculation has swirled in some corners—ranging from random crime to more personal connections—but officials have urged caution, reminding the public that misinformation can hinder progress.
Amid the grim developments, the Guthrie family has continued to share poignant tributes. On February 12, Savannah posted a heartfelt montage on Instagram featuring childhood home movies of Nancy with her young children, set to gentle music. “Our lovely mom,” the caption read. “We will never give up on her. Thank you for your prayers and hope.” The videos show a vibrant younger Nancy laughing, hugging her kids, and creating family memories—stark contrasts to the current nightmare. These posts serve dual purposes: keeping Nancy’s image alive in the public eye and appealing directly to her abductor(s) to release her unharmed.
Family statements have repeatedly expressed willingness to pay any price for her safe return, framing the situation as one where reunion is the only path to peace.
Experts following the case have drawn parallels to other high-profile abductions of elderly individuals, noting the rarity and baffling elements here. An 84-year-old with limited mobility being taken from her home without immediate witnesses challenges conventional profiles of random crime. Some former FBI profilers have suggested the perpetrator may have had prior knowledge of the residence or routine, given the timing and apparent familiarity with the property layout. Others point to the tampering with the camera as indicative of planning rather than impulse.
As the search stretches into its thirteenth day on February 13, 2026, the atmosphere remains one of controlled urgency. Search teams, including K-9 units and aerial support, continue scouring the desert landscapes around Tucson. Community members have left yellow flowers and notes of hope near the home, a quiet show of solidarity for a family thrust into national spotlight by tragedy. Savannah Guthrie, usually the composed voice guiding viewers through the day’s news, now finds herself at the center of a personal crisis that has gripped the nation.
The newly released images and videos represent a pivotal moment. They offer tangible evidence in a case that once seemed shrouded in mystery, yet they also heighten fears about Nancy’s fate. Every frame raises urgent questions: Who is this masked figure? What happened in the hours after the camera was covered? Is Nancy still alive, and if so, where is she being held? Authorities stress that time is critical, especially given her age and health concerns.
The Guthrie family clings to hope, their messages unwavering: Bring her home. For now, the investigation presses on, fueled by public tips, forensic breakthroughs, and an unyielding determination to uncover the truth. In the silence between updates, one truth remains painfully clear—this is no longer just another missing person case. It is a family’s fight for a mother’s life, played out under the glare of national attention, with every new revelation bringing both dread and fragile possibility. The world watches, prays, and waits for the moment that reveals what truly happened to Nancy Guthrie.
