Nancy Guthrie’s family visits tribute outside her home as sheriff says investigators are getting ‘closer’
Nancy Guthrie’s family visits tribute outside her home as sheriff says investigators are getting ‘closer’
Tucson, Ariz. — More than a month has passed since Nancy Guthrie vanished, yet authorities remain actively pursuing leads as her family seeks continued support from the community.
As of Monday, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos expressed confidence in the case’s progress, stating, “I think the investigators are definitely closer.” He emphasized his unwavering trust in the team’s ability to resolve the mystery, noting that “thousands” of tips have been received since Guthrie, 84, disappeared. The mother of “TODAY” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie was last seen on Jan. 31 at around 9:45 p.m. after a family dinner, and her absence was officially reported on Feb. 1 when she failed to attend a friend’s gathering to watch an online church service.
The FBI has joined local law enforcement in the search, with the Guthrie family offering a $1 million reward for her safe return. On Monday, Savannah Guthrie, accompanied by her sister and brother-in-law, placed additional items at the growing tribute of yellow flowers outside their mother’s residence. She shared a photo on social media, captioning it as a gesture of gratitude for the outpouring of affection and prayers from neighbors, the Tucson community, and people nationwide.
“We feel the love and prayers from our neighbors, from the Tucson community and from around the country,” she wrote. “Please don’t stop praying and hoping with us. Bring her home.”
Her family’s note, displayed near the tribute, read in part: “Momma, We miss you so much! Our hearts are broken. We are standing on ash, scorched earth! But, mom, though we are surrounded by so much darkness and uncertainty, our love burns bright.” Savannah also revealed that the family had announced the reward on Feb. 24, acknowledging both hope and the possibility of Nancy being “lost” or “already gone.”
Nanos remained optimistic, adding, “I personally believe Nancy Guthrie is alive.” He attributed this belief to his faith in the investigative process, though he noted the case is still under active review. The FBI recently released footage from Guthrie’s porch, capturing a masked, armed man with a backpack tampering with a doorbell camera the morning she disappeared. Authorities describe the individual as a key suspect, though no public identification has been made.
The man is seen in the video wearing a distinctive gun holster and an Ozark Trail backpack, a brand available exclusively at Walmart when purchased new. Nanos mentioned that investigators are also examining whether the backpack might have been acquired through a resale platform. DNA evidence remains a critical component of the investigation, with officials confirming they are analyzing multiple samples, though the results are still pending.
The suspect is described as a male between 5 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall, with an average build, and wearing a black, 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack. The search continues as families and law enforcement await new developments.
