As the search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie, enters its second week, the case continues to unfold with chilling details, unverified ransom demands, and investigative twists. Authorities believe Nancy was abducted from her Tucson, Arizona, home in the early hours of February 1, 2026, marking a harrowing ordeal for her family and a complex challenge for law enforcement. Drawing from recent reports and official statements, here's a comprehensive overview of the key elements, including the timeline, ransom notes, and the recent release of a person of interest.
The Disappearance: What We Know About Nancy Guthrie
Nancy Guthrie, a vibrant 84-year-old known for her close-knit family ties, vanished from her home in a quiet Tucson neighborhood. She requires medication and uses a colorful pink cane, both of which were left behind, along with her car, phone, purse, and wallet. Investigators have ruled out robbery or a random home invasion as primary motives, instead pointing to evidence of forced entry and a targeted abduction.
Nancy Guthrie (left) with her daughter Savannah Guthrie.
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Signs of a struggle, including possible blood evidence sent for expedited DNA analysis, suggest she was taken against her will. Savannah Guthrie, her daughter, has stepped away from her Olympic coverage duties to focus on the search, releasing emotional video pleas urging any captors to release her mother and affirming the family's willingness to pay a ransom.
Savannah Guthrie in an emotional plea for her mother's safe return.
The FBI has joined the Pima County Sheriff's Department in the investigation, offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy's safe return. No official suspects have been named, but the case has drawn national attention due to Savannah's public profile.
FBI agents investigating the kidnapping scene.
Kidnapping Timeline: From Last Sighting to Ongoing Search
The sequence of events paints a picture of a premeditated act carried out under the cover of night. Here's a detailed breakdown based on official updates:
- January 31, 2026 (Evening): Nancy visits her family's home and is dropped off at her residence around 9:48 p.m. The garage door closes at 9:50 p.m., marking her last confirmed activity inside the home.
- February 1, 2026 (Early Morning): At 1:47 a.m., Nancy's doorbell camera disconnects. By 2:12 a.m., motion detection software registers a person at the door, though no video is available due to a lapsed subscription. Authorities later recover and release footage showing a masked individual, wearing gloves and possibly armed with a holstered gun, tampering with the camera while carrying a backpack.
Surveillance footage of the masked intruder at Nancy Guthrie's home.
This person is believed to be the abductor, described as potentially male and inexperienced based on their handling of the weapon and camera obstruction.
- February 2, 2026: Nancy is reported missing after failing to respond to calls. Police declare her home a crime scene, confirming signs of abduction. A missing person alert is issued.
- February 3-5, 2026: Initial ransom notes surface, sent to local and national media outlets. The FBI assumes joint control, and Savannah releases her first video plea.
- February 5-9, 2026: Additional notes emerge with escalating demands and deadlines that pass without resolution. Family members, including Savannah and her siblings, release more videos begging for Nancy's release.
- February 10, 2026: The FBI releases enhanced images and video of the masked figure. A person of interest is detained during a traffic stop but later released.
- February 11, 2026 (Ongoing): Searches continue across multiple states, with new activity detected in a cryptocurrency wallet linked to one of the ransom notes. Tips pour in, but Nancy remains missing.
The timeline underscores the urgency: over 10 days have passed, and while leads are pursued, the lack of tire tracks or indoor cameras has complicated efforts.
Ransom Notes: Demands, Deadlines, and Doubts
Multiple unverified ransom communications have been sent to media outlets like TMZ, KOLD, KGUN, and others, demanding sums ranging from $4 million to $6 million in Bitcoin. The notes, described as "carefully crafted," include details not publicly known at the time, such as references to Nancy's health and specific threats to her life if deadlines aren't met. Key deadlines—February 5 and February 9 (or 10, depending on sources)—passed without proof of life or confirmed contact from the abductors.
One note was traced to an "imposter" who was arrested by the FBI for attempting to exploit the situation. Authorities remain skeptical about the authenticity of others, treating them seriously but noting no direct communication with the family. Recent blockchain activity in a linked Bitcoin wallet has sparked new investigative angles, though details on the transferred amount are withheld.
Experts suggest the delays in demands and amateurish elements (like the suspect's visible gun handling) point to an inexperienced perpetrator, possibly not a professional kidnapper.
Person of Interest Released: The Carlos Detainment
In a significant development on February 10, a man identified as Carlos (full name possibly Carlos Alberto Palazuelos Jr.), a FedEx and DoorDash delivery driver, was detained during a traffic stop in Rio Rico, Arizona, near the Mexican border. He was questioned overnight in connection with the case, primarily due to links to a Bitcoin wallet mentioned in one ransom note. Authorities executed a search warrant at a home associated with his girlfriend's mother, seizing electronic devices.
However, Carlos was released early on February 11 without charges, as investigators could not directly tie him to the kidnapping itself. He expressed shock and frustration, claiming innocence and speculating that his delivery routes near Nancy's home may have raised suspicions. Officials are exploring whether he acted as a middleman for cryptocurrency or sought to profit opportunistically. His immigration status remains unconfirmed.
Current Status and Family's Plea
As of February 12, 2026, Nancy Guthrie is still missing, with the investigation spanning multiple agencies and states. The family remains hopeful, with Savannah stating in a recent video, "We will not rest." Public tips are encouraged via the FBI or local authorities, and the $50,000 reward stands.
This case highlights the vulnerabilities even in quiet communities and the power of media in amplifying searches. While leads like the surveillance footage and wallet activity offer hope, the passage of time raises concerns for Nancy's well-being. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops—prayers and shares could make all the difference.
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