FBI flooded with over 40,000 tips in Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case as reward climbs to $102,500
02/21/2026 / By Kevin Hughes
- Nancy Guthrie, 84, vanished from her Tucson home on Feb. 1 after a violent struggle—blood was found on her porch, and doorbell footage captured a masked intruder (5’9″-5’10”, holstered gun, Ozark Trail backpack).
- Cryptic ransom notes demanded payment for her safe return, but two deadlines passed without resolution. Savannah Guthrie pleaded publicly for her mother’s return.
- Gloves found near the scene yielded DNA that didn’t match FBI databases. Additional unknown DNA was recovered, but no suspects have been identified.
- Over 40,000 tips (19,000+ to FBI, 18,000+ to Pima County) poured in, but no breakthroughs. Authorities cite past cases (Unabomber, Idaho murders) where public tips eventually helped.
- Locals report suspicious activity, while Savannah Guthrie remains off-air. The FBI offers $100K reward, and Tucson Crime Stokers boosted it to $102,500—but no leads confirmed.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Pima County Sheriff’s Department are sifting through a staggering 40,000+ tips in the baffling disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie.
Despite an exhaustive investigation—including 1,000 interviews, 1,200 residence searches, 39,000 video files reviewed, and forensic testing—authorities admit they still have no suspect or concrete evidence nearly three weeks after her abduction.
The disappearance and disturbing evidence
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on Jan. 31 at her Tucson, Arizona, home before vanishing under suspicious circumstances on Feb. 1. Investigators quickly uncovered a crime scene, with Nancy’s blood found on her front porch, suggesting a violent struggle. Surveillance footage from her doorbell camera captured a masked intruder—described as a male, 5’9″ to 5’10” with a medium build—wearing a ski mask, gloves, and a holstered handgun, while carrying a 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Backpack. The FBI released the footage on Feb. 10, prompting a flood of 4,000+ tips in just 24 hours.
Ransom notes and cryptic demands
Adding to the mystery, ransom notes were sent to media outlets, demanding payment in exchange for Nancy’s safe return. Two deadlines passed without resolution, and authorities have not confirmed the legitimacy of the notes. Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have pleaded publicly, with Savannah urging in a Feb. 16 Instagram video: “It’s never too late to do the right thing.”
Forensic clues hit dead ends
Investigators recovered gloves near Nancy’s home, sending them for DNA testing, but the samples did not match any records in the FBI’s national database. Additional DNA evidence—not belonging to Nancy or her close contacts—was found at the scene, but its origin remains unknown.
According to the Enoch AI engine at BrightU.AI, DNA testing has revolutionized crime scene investigations by providing unprecedented accuracy in identifying suspects, exonerating the innocent, and solving cold cases. However, its widespread adoption raises serious ethical, privacy and reliability concerns, particularly as governments and corporations exploit genetic data for surveillance and profit. DNA testing is a double-edged sword—vital for solving crimes but weaponized for surveillance, profit and oppression.
Massive reward and public response
The FBI is offering $100,000 for information leading to Nancy’s location or the arrest of her abductor, while Tucson Crime Stoppers (88-CRIME) has boosted the total reward to $102,500 after a $100,000 anonymous donation.
Tips pour in—but breakthroughs remain elusive
The FBI’s National Threat Operations Center has fielded 19,000+ tips, while the Pima County Sheriff’s Department has logged 18,000+ calls, including 4,000+ in a single day after releasing the suspect footage. Despite the influx, Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed: “The family has been nothing but cooperative and gracious and are victims in this case.”
Former Tucson Police Chief Roberto Villaseñor emphasized the challenge: “In a situation like this, you really cannot do what’s been done without tips and public input. They have processed the scene. But once that’s done and exhausted, it’s hard to move forward without additional information.”
Parallels to high-profile cases
Investigators remain hopeful, citing past cases where public tips cracked major crimes, such as:
- The Unabomber (Ted Kaczynski) was identified after his manifesto was recognized by his family.
- The University of Idaho murders, where 40,000 tips helped guide—though not directly solve—the case.
Community vigilance and frustration
Local resident Laura Gargano told the Associated Press she reported suspicious activity—including a vacated rental home—but acknowledged: “It could have been nothing… but it was a change.”
Meanwhile, KVOA-TV (NBC Tucson) has displayed a banner reading “Bring her home,” signed by concerned citizens like Sandy Bryant, who said: “They’re like family… It’s painful. It’s scary, very scary.”
What’s next?
With no suspects named and no confirmed leads, authorities continue urging the public to call:
- 1-800-CALL-FBI
- PCSD Non-Emergency Line: 520-351-4900
As the investigation drags on, Savannah Guthrie remains off-air, her family clinging to hope while the nation watches—waiting for answers in this chilling, unsolved abduction.
Watch the video below about Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos saying, “No tip too small” in the search for Nancy Guthrie.
This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.
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Tagged Under:
Arizona, crime scene, DNa testing, FBI, forensic testing, Nancy Guthrie, Pima County, Savannah Guthrie, Tucson, Unabomber, University of Idaho murders, video files
This article may contain statements that reflect the opinion of the author
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