Arizona authorities on Feb. 5 provided an updated timeline covering the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, as the investigation enters its fifth day.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department held a news conference on Feb. 5, detailing the hours before and after Nancy Guthrie went missing, along with the events that are known to have transpired.
“We believe Nancy is still out there. We want her home,” said Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos. “We’re at that phase now where sometimes we’re waiting, we’re waiting for analysis, we’re waiting for lab reports.”
Nanos said DNA testing concluded that blood found on the porch of her Tucson, Arizona home belonged to Nancy Guthrie. However, the “results were minimal.”
A suspect or person of interest has not yet been identified, but authorities are actively looking into any and all leads in the case.
Initial Disappearance
On Jan. 31, Nancy Guthrie took an Uber to her family’s home for dinner, and was later dropped off by a family member back at her residence. At 9:48 p.m., her garage door opened, and at 9:50 p.m. it closed.
In the early morning hours of Feb. 1, her doorbell camera became disconnected, and at 2:12 a.m. the camera detected movement, but no video evidence is available as Nancy Guthrie did not have an active subscription with the camera company.
At 2:28 a.m., a heart pacemaker app was disconnected from her phone. Family members sounded the alarm on her whereabouts at 11:56 a.m. after she failed to show up to church services.
At 12:03 p.m., her family called 911 to report a missing person, and investigators arrived shortly after to launch a search operation, including the use of drones and search dogs.
That evening, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department announced Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance on social media and updated reporters on what they were calling a “search and rescue mission.”
Ongoing Investigation
On Feb. 2, authorities announced they believe Nancy Guthrie was kidnapped, abducted, or otherwise taken against her will.
Shortly after, local Tucson television station KOLD-TV, said they received an emailed ransom note which stated a Feb. 5 demand for money by 5 p.m., with a second deadline set for Monday, Feb. 9.
That night, Savannah posted a social media message asking followers and others for their prayers in finding her mother safely.
On Feb. 3, the Associated Press reported that an individual familiar with the case said investigators discovered signs of forced entry at Nancy Guthrie’s home.
The following day, authorities returned to the residence for a “follow-up investigation” without providing further details. In a video on Feb. 4, Savannah pleaded with her mother’s kidnappers to provide proof she is still alive, adding her family is ready to negotiate.
“We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated,” Savannah said in the video. “We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her.”
President Donald Trump said he spoke with Savannah and that he has “deployed all resources” in coordination with federal investigators in assisting in the case.
On Feb. 5, authorities reiterated their belief that Nancy Guthrie is still alive, despite not having concrete evidence, and confirmed her DNA was found at the scene of the presumed abduction.
Also on Feb. 5, the FBI announced a $50,000 reward for information about Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts or anyone involved in the crime.
“The FBI is now working this case jointly with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department,” said Heith Janke, FBI Phoenix special agent in charge.
“We’re going to start today by announcing a $50,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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