Timeline of the disappearance
Nancy Guthrie vanished overnight between 31 January and 1 February from her residence in the Catalina Foothills area north of Tucson, Arizona. Her last confirmed sighting came shortly after 10:00 p.m. on 31 January, when a relative dropped her off following a family dinner. When she failed to appear at church the next morning, relatives contacted authorities and reported her missing.
Detectives later determined that the doorbell camera at the property was disabled at approximately 1:45 a.m. on 1 February. Roughly 45 minutes later, data from Nancy Guthrie’s pacemaker indicated it had lost connection with her smartphone, suggesting either the phone was powered off or removed from the area. During an initial search of the house, investigators found traces of her blood on the front porch, reinforcing suspicions that she was forcibly taken.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told reporters earlier in the week that no suspects or persons of interest have been identified. He described the disappearance as an active abduction investigation, adding that every lead is being pursued. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has joined the case and has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery and to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible.
Authorities say all leads remain open
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department released a brief statement Saturday acknowledging the family’s newest video but said it had no additional information to provide. An agency spokesperson reiterated that investigators are treating every message referencing Nancy Guthrie as potentially credible until proven otherwise. Despite extensive ground searches, neighborhood canvassing and digital forensics, no significant developments were reported on Saturday, law-enforcement officials confirmed.
Special agents and deputies continue to analyze electronic evidence, review surveillance footage from surrounding streets, and interview residents in the Catalina Foothills community. Aerial drones and canine units were deployed in the days immediately following the disappearance to comb the rugged desert terrain that borders many properties in the area.
Previous appeals and public engagement
Saturday’s Instagram post is the third public video released by the Guthrie family since news of the abduction emerged. Earlier statements focused on urging the kidnappers to establish a secure communication channel and to present verifiable proof that their mother is alive. Those requests were echoed on Saturday, though the latest message adds the explicit confirmation that the family is prepared to pay ransom.
Friends, colleagues and members of the public have amplified the family’s appeals across social platforms, while the FBI has circulated a missing-person poster with Nancy Guthrie’s photograph, physical description and last known clothing. The bureau advised anyone with information to contact its Phoenix field office or the Pima County Sheriff’s tip line.
Imagem: Internet
In a news conference on Thursday, Sheriff Nanos cautioned the community against sharing unverified rumors online, emphasizing that speculation can impede investigators’ efforts. He asked residents to report anything unusual they observed in the neighborhood around the time of the disappearance, no matter how minor it may seem.
Profile of the victim
Nancy Guthrie is described as 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing approximately 125 pounds, with gray hair and blue eyes. She is known locally for her volunteer work at church and community centers and for attending events with her daughter, the nationally recognized co-anchor of NBC’s “Today” show. Family members say that although she relies on a pacemaker and takes medication for mild cardiac issues, she is otherwise active and independent.
Reward underscores urgency of investigation
The $50,000 reward remains in effect and could be increased if new information emerges, according to federal agents involved in the case. The FBI emphasizes that calls and online tips can be made anonymously. The bureau’s public notice links Nancy Guthrie’s case to its broader program for kidnapped and missing persons, which contains guidelines for submitting leads and outlines how rewards are administered. Additional details can be found on the agency’s official site dedicated to missing and kidnapped individuals, an authoritative resource on active abduction cases.
Next steps
Investigators are awaiting laboratory results related to the blood evidence recovered at the scene and are expanding their examination of cell-tower data to pinpoint any devices that moved near the Guthrie residence during the critical hours. Forensic specialists are also reviewing the formatting, wording and delivery methods of the ransom communications to determine whether they match known patterns from previous abduction cases.
Meanwhile, the Guthrie family continues to urge the abductors to make direct contact. In Saturday’s video, the children stressed that their priority is solely their mother’s safe return and that they are prepared to meet financial demands. They did not disclose how payment would be facilitated or whether law enforcement would be involved in any potential exchange.
Authorities encourage anyone with relevant information – whether it concerns suspicious activity on 31 January or details about the messages sent since then – to contact the FBI or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department immediately. Tips can be submitted online, by phone or in person at local field offices.
As of Saturday night, no further updates had been issued by investigators. The search for Nancy Guthrie, who has now been missing for more than a week, remains the top priority for federal and local agencies collaborating on the case.
Crédito da imagem: Rebecca Noble/Reuters
