URGENT UPDATE: New evidence has emerged in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s “Today” host Savannah Guthrie. Bloodied items discovered in a remote desert have intensified the investigation, now entering its third week, as authorities search for answers.
Nancy was last seen at her Tucson-area home in Arizona’s Catalina Foothills on January 31, 2026. Following a family gathering, she was dropped off at her ranch-style residence. Alarm bells were raised the next day when church members reported her absence, prompting family members to take immediate action.
Authorities suspect Nancy was forcibly taken, as evidence points to violence: blood drops confirmed as hers via DNA were found on her porch tile, alongside a missing doorbell camera and empty spots for her phone, wallet, medication, and vehicle keys. Disturbing doorbell footage captured a masked suspect wearing gloves and a backpack near her home that night.
As of now, no ransom notes have surfaced, but federal agencies, including the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI, are investigating all possible motives. Concerns continue to grow over Nancy’s health, especially since she requires medication.
Critical Findings: Bloodied Items Discovered
On February 11, an Arizona couple hiking near Campbell Avenue, about a mile from Guthrie’s home, stumbled upon two black gloves—torn and blood-stained around the wrists and fingers—and a rock with dried blood, approximately 10 feet apart. Alarmed by the news, they reported the findings to authorities.
Deputies processed the scene until 2 a.m., collecting items for DNA testing. The gloves found match those seen on the suspect in the doorbell footage and are similar to others previously located nearby. An FBI video displayed agents retrieving a similar glove approximately 1.5 miles from Nancy’s home.
DNA Analysis and Investigation Progress
Over 40,000 tips have flooded in from the public to the FBI and sheriff’s lines, showcasing the community’s concern. DNA from the desert gloves, submitted to the CODIS national database, has not yielded any matches, and preliminary tests indicate they do not match any DNA found at Guthrie’s home. Investigators are also awaiting further analysis, including investigative genetic genealogy.
The backpack discovered near the scene is identified as a 25-liter Ark Trailiker Pack, sold exclusively at Walmart. Investigators are working to trace purchase records related to the pack. So far, no suspects or persons of interest have been named; the family has been cleared and described as “victims.”
As the search expands, authorities are focusing on multiple areas, including Nancy’s home and the surrounding desert. Former President Donald Trump has vowed severe federal penalties if Nancy is found deceased, amplifying the urgency of the situation. Sheriff Nanos remains hopeful, stating: “We’ll find her—ten days, months, or worse,” despite the troubling signs of struggle.
What’s Next?
As February 21, 2026 marks day 21 of the search, the bloodied finds in the desert offer a glimmer of hope for breakthroughs. However, stalled DNA leads prolong the anguish for the Guthrie family. With significant tips and inter-agency efforts underway, the resolution hinges on genealogy matches or Walmart data.
The Guthrie family continues to urge the public for any tips that may help in the investigation. As the search intensifies, the community holds its breath for any news that could lead to justice for Nancy Guthrie.
