The search for Nancy Guthrie has entered its third week, with investigators continuing to examine evidence but still without a confirmed suspect.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, the mother of Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was last seen on January 31 after being dropped off at her Tucson, Arizona home following a family dinner. Her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, told police he watched her enter through the garage that night.
Hours later, at approximately 2:12 a.m., Nancy’s doorbell camera recorded a masked and gloved individual near the home. Around 2:30 a.m., her Apple Watch and iPhone reportedly stopped syncing with her pacemaker. She was reported missing later that morning after church friends became concerned when she did not arrive for services. Family members checked on her residence and contacted authorities when they were unable to find her.
Investigators review ring detail as DNA fails to identify suspect
Federal authorities later released still images from the surveillance footage showing the masked figure approaching and manipulating the doorbell camera. The backpack carried by the individual was identified as a black Ozark Trail Hiker model sold exclusively at Walmart. Officials have not publicly identified the clothing or mask brands.
Investigators recovered a black nitrile glove roughly two miles from the residence. However, DNA testing did not produce a match in the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), according to law enforcement.
Authorities have confirmed that male DNA recovered from the glove and from inside the home has not matched any profile in the national criminal database.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told NBC News he observed a possible additional detail in the surveillance images. “I look at the same photo you look at and I get it, I see it,” he said, referencing what may be a ring visible beneath the suspect’s glove. “I’m going to give that to my team. They’ll look at that. They’ll analyze it and we’ll see. Maybe, maybe it is.”
The potential presence of a ring has become one of the few visible features investigators are now analyzing more closely.
Ransom messages surface as reward increases
As the forensic investigation continues, TMZ reported receiving what it described as a new “sophisticated” ransom message related to the case. The outlet stated that the latest demand requests a large cryptocurrency payment different from an earlier $6 million bitcoin request. According to TMZ, the email included a different cryptocurrency account number and graphically described consequences if payment is not made.
Multiple ransom notes, including several sent to TMZ, have surfaced since Nancy’s disappearance. Authorities have not announced any confirmed link between those communications and a verified suspect. TMZ also reported that the FBI has contacted law enforcement in Mexico, though officials have not disclosed any resulting breakthroughs.
The reward for information leading to progress in the investigation has been increased to $100,000.
Savannah Guthrie has publicly appealed for her mother’s safe return. In a video message shared on Instagram, she urged anyone involved to reconsider, saying it is “never too late to do the right thing.”
More than two weeks after she was last seen, Nancy Guthrie remains missing as investigators continue to examine every available lead.
