TUCSON, AZ — The search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie has entered a critical new phase. Fourteen days after she vanished from her home in the Catalina Foothills, federal authorities have dramatically escalated the investigation.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation> (FBI) has now increased the reward for credible information to $100,000, signaling the urgency and seriousness surrounding the case. Tactical units, forensic specialists, and additional federal agents are now working alongside local authorities in what officials describe as an “active and evolving” operation.

For many Americans — and viewers in Australia following international headlines — this case has become deeply personal.

Who Is Nancy Guthrie?

Nancy Guthrie is a longtime resident of the Catalina Foothills near Tucson>, Arizona. She is widely known as the mother of NBC journalist Savannah Guthrie>, co-anchor of the Today show.

Family members describe Nancy as deeply rooted in faith, devoted to her routine, and reliant on daily medical care. She has limited mobility and requires medication for high blood pressure and a pacemaker.

When she disappeared on January 31, 2026, authorities quickly elevated the case to a criminal investigation after blood was discovered on her front porch.

Latest Developments: DNA and Tactical Activity

Investigators confirmed a major development in the past 24 hours.

DNA Breakthrough

Forensic teams recovered unidentified DNA from inside the residence. Officials say the genetic material does not match Nancy or known family contacts. Authorities believe it may belong to a primary suspect.

This discovery has shifted the case from a missing-person investigation into a targeted criminal inquiry.

SWAT Deployment in Marana

Heavy law enforcement presence was reported in Marana>, roughly 23 miles northwest of Tucson.

While Chris Nanos>, Sheriff of Pima County, has not publicly confirmed operational specifics, multiple independent sources report that SWAT and bomb squad units were deployed following a mobile device “ping” connected to a person of interest.

Authorities have not confirmed an arrest.

Suspect Description Released

The FBI has updated its profile of an individual captured on residential doorbell footage.

The suspect is described as:

• Height: Approximately 5’9” to 5’10”
• Build: Average
• Clothing: Masked
• Carrying: Black Ozark Trail 25-liter hiking backpack

Investigators are urging anyone who recognizes the individual or has seen suspicious activity in the area to come forward immediately.

Ransom Demands Add Complexity

The case took a darker turn after ransom communications surfaced.

Multiple demands ranging from $4 million to $6 million in Bitcoin were reportedly sent to both family members and media outlets.

In a public video statement, Savannah Guthrie, alongside siblings Annie and Camron, addressed the captors directly:

“We received your message… we will pay. Please, just bring her home.”

The emotional plea has resonated across social media in the United States and Australia, where the story has gained international traction.

Authorities have not confirmed whether the ransom messages are credible or linked directly to the suspect.

National Attention and Tip Surge

The FBI’s National Threat Operations Center has processed more than 13,000 tips so far.

Investigators are particularly interested in:

• Reports of a white van seen in the Catalina Foothills area
• Surveillance footage from January 31 onward
• Any sightings matching the suspect description

How to Submit Information

If you have information, contact:

1-800-CALL-FBI
tips.fbi.gov

Authorities stress that even small details can be critical.

Why This Case Matters

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie is not just a headline — it reflects a broader fear that vulnerable seniors can be targeted in their own homes.

For audiences in the U.S. and Australia, the case also underscores how quickly a quiet suburban neighborhood can become the center of a federal investigation.

As reward money climbs and tactical activity expands, investigators appear confident they are closing in on key leads.

But until Nancy Guthrie is safely returned, the search continues.

Key Facts at a Glance