Nancy Guthrie Disappearance: Car Towed, Blood Evidence Points to Foul Play
The mysterious disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of television personality Savannah Guthrie, has now entered its second week, with authorities treating the case as a potential criminal investigation. Reported missing from her Catalina Foothills home on February 1, 2026, the situation has taken a serious turn with the discovery of blood evidence confirmed through DNA testing.
Critical Evidence Collection Intensifies
On Friday evening, February 6, 2026, investigators made a significant move by towing Nancy Guthrie's blue SUV from her garage. Surveillance footage captured the vehicle being carefully loaded onto a tow truck and transported from the residence. Simultaneously, law enforcement removed a solar-powered camera from the roof and a white video camera from the nearby casita, suggesting a comprehensive evidence collection effort.
Forensic teams also briefly visited the home of Nancy's daughter, Annie Guthrie, that same evening. The Pima County Sheriff's Department has maintained a tight-lipped approach, stating to media outlets: "This remains an active and ongoing investigation, which includes the review of multiple pieces of evidence. At this time, we will not confirm or release additional details regarding what is being analyzed."
Sheriff's Statements Reveal Investigation Details
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has provided crucial insights into the investigation's direction. He emphasized that this is not a dementia-related case, stating: "Nancy Guthrie is of great sound mind. This is not a dementia-related case. She is as sharp as a tack." This declaration immediately rules out common explanations for elderly disappearances.
Sheriff Nanos highlighted the medical urgency of the situation, noting: "She relies on a pacemaker and medication that could prove life-threatening if missed." He expressed determination to find her, saying: "Right now we believe she is still there. We want her home." When questioned about her current status, he maintained: "Until proven, she's alive."
The sheriff acknowledged early investigative challenges, telling Arizona Central: "At the start this thing we weren't sure what we had." He confirmed FBI assistance was offered without request, and stressed the investigation's thorough pace: "It takes as long as it takes... I just hope we haven't minimized that any further."
Evidence Points to Forcible Removal
Authorities now suspect Nancy Guthrie was forcibly removed from her home rather than wandering away. Investigators are examining possible ransom notes, with one arrest already made in connection with a fraudulent note. No official suspects have been named in the primary investigation.
Former CIA agent Tracy Walder provided analysis to People magazine, suggesting: "I believe something in the note sparked them to go back to the home, expand the perimeter, and remove the vehicle for further processing. Of course, anything digital will help, but to me, it sounds like the garage door never opened or closed again after 9:50 p.m., so I personally don't think the car went anywhere. But they will look at historical data."
Detailed Timeline of Events
The sequence of events leading to Nancy Guthrie's disappearance has been carefully reconstructed:
- January 31: Nancy took an Uber to visit her daughter for dinner and games
- 9:50 p.m.: Son-in-law Tommaso Cioni dropped her home
- 1:47 a.m. February 1: Doorbell camera disconnected
- 2:00 a.m.: Motion detected at the property
- Shortly after 2:00 a.m.: Pacemaker app lost signal
- Sunday: Church friends alerted family when Nancy missed services
Additional evidence includes blood splatters on the porch confirmed through DNA testing as belonging to Nancy Guthrie, and a missing front security camera. The family has described Nancy as having fragile physical health, adding to concerns about her wellbeing.
While Savannah Guthrie has maintained privacy during this difficult time, support has poured in from across the nation. As the investigation enters day seven, Sheriff Chris Nanos continues to oversee the probe, examining all individuals connected to the case. The towing of the vehicle represents both a grim development and a potential breakthrough in this increasingly complex missing person investigation.
