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12 Feb 2026 1:53
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  •   Home > News > International

    How the search for Nancy Guthrie played out as police detain a person for questioning

    As the frantic search for the mother of a well-known US journalist enters its 12th day, police have more questions than answers. Here's how it unfolded.


    On the 11th day since she vanished from her home in Arizona, a person is being questioned in connection to the disappearance of news anchor Savannah Guthrie's mother, Nancy.

    Local police have provided the latest update on social media, hours after the FBI released footage and images of a masked suspected abductor captured by Ms Guthrie's doorbell camera.

    What started as a missing persons case soon turned into an FBI suspected kidnapping investigation that has captured the interest of the US and online sleuths who have flooded the internet with conspiracy theories.

    Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have made several pleas via social media videos directly addressing the suspected kidnapper, saying they were prepared to pay a ransom for their mother's return.

    In recent days, as her family grew desperate, investigators began to zero in on a 41-minute window about four hours after she returned home from a games night as the time they believed she was abducted.

    It's been unclear if investigators have had contact with Nancy Guthrie's abductor or if she is alive.

    Here is a timeline of events in the investigation.

    Saturday, January 31

    [map]

    Two Saturdays ago, Nancy Guthrie takes an Uber from her home in Tucson, Arizona, to a family member's home for dinner and a games night at about 5:32pm.

    At 9:48pm, Ms Guthrie is dropped home by a relative and her garage door opens and closes minutes later, according to police.

    She goes to bed.

    Sunday, February 1

    At 1:47am, the doorbell camera of Ms Guthrie's home disconnects.

    At 2:12am, the camera's software detects movement and then at 2:28am, Guthrie's pacemaker app is disconnected from her phone.

    Later that day, after the grandmother did not attend church, her family check on her at around 11:56am.

    By 12:03pm the family call emergency number 911 and report her as a missing person.

    Just over 10 minutes later, investigators arrive to launch a search operation, which includes the use of drones and search dogs.

    Later, investigators tell the media this is not a typical response for missing persons cases, but upon arrival, they found signs she did not leave on her own.

    They found what has been described as a minimal amount of blood on Ms Guthrie's porch.

    Given her health and heart conditions, police act quickly, knowing she is without her medication.

    At 6:46pm, the Pima County Sheriff's Department posts on social media to announce Ms Guthrie's disappearance.

    Monday, February 2

    The next morning, authorities announce to the public they believe Ms Guthrie was taken against her will.

    The interest in the case captures the world's attention and Savannah Guthrie is noticeably absent from her anchor role on the morning's edition of the Today Show.

    The show releases a statement on behalf of Savannah Guthrie, who thanks supporters and asks anyone with information to come forward.

    Meanwhile, the local Tucson television station says it received an email that appears to be a ransom note.

    The note is said to include a deadline set for Thursday at 5pm and a second one for Monday.

    Savannah Guthrie posts to her Instagram asking for people's prayers.

    She describes her mother as a "woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant".

    Tuesday, February 3

    In another press conference, the Pima County Sheriff reiterates pleas for information, warning Ms Guthrie will die without access to her medication.

    They say they found signs of forced entry, but reveal few details about the investigation.

    They decline to answer whether the disappearance was thought to be random or targeted.

    They say DNA samples had been gathered and submitted, but nothing had come back to indicate suspects.

    President Donald Trump tells reporters the situation is "terrible".

    Wednesday, February 4

    After turning back the property to Nancy Guthrie's family earlier that week, authorities go back to the home for a "follow-up investigation".

    That night, Savannah Guthrie posts a video to Instagram in which she directly addresses the kidnapper and tells them her family is ready to talk, but they want proof Nancy is alive.

    Thursday, February 5

    Officials reveal to the public that a DNA test of blood found on the porch is Nancy Guthrie's blood.

    The FBI offers a $50,000 reward for information about Ms Guthrie's whereabouts.

    On Thursday (local time), FBI special agent Heith Janke says the agency is investigating an alleged ransom letter sent to media outlets.

    Authorities also make an arrest over an "Imposter" ransom note, saying there is no evidence it had any connection to Ms Guthrie's disappearance.

    Friday, February 6

    Tucson TV station KOLD receives a new email tied to the Guthrie case, but says it cannot disclose what it says.

    The FBI says it is aware of a new message and is reviewing its authenticity.

    Investigators gather more evidence at Ms Guthrie's neighbourhood.

    The president of a local neighbourhood group thanks residents in a letter seen by the Associated Press for being willing to speak with police, share camera images and allow their properties to be searched.

    Saturday, February 7

    Savannah Guthrie releases another Instagram video, flanked by her siblings.

    She addresses potential abductors.

    "We received your message, and we understand," she says.

    "We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her.

    "This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay."

    Sunday, February 8

    Detectives and FBI agents do follow-up work at multiple locations and an investigator is seen using a pole to search in an underground tank behind Ms Guthrie's home.

    Monday, February 9

    Savannah Guthrie posts to Instagram again, saying her family is in "an hour of desperation" and they believe that Nancy Guthrie is out there, alive.

    No ransom note is mentioned in this video and Savannah Guthrie asks for prayers.

    A spokesperson for the FBI says they were not aware of ongoing communication between Nancy Guthrie's family and suspected kidnappers.

    The deadline believed to be set by the reported ransom note passes.

    Tuesday, February 10

    The FBI releases door camera video they say they managed to recover.

    The video shows what the FBI describes as an armed person tampering with the camera.

    The person wears a backpack and ski mask with eye and mouth holes.

    The person tries to cover the camera near the door with a gloved hand before ripping out a plant from the yard to block the camera's view.

    Savannah Guthrie posts images of the alleged kidnapper on Instagram.

    She writes she believes her mother is still alive.

    Then, just before 9pm local time, Pima County Sheriff's Department releases a statement on social media announcing they have detained a subject.

    "Earlier today, Pima County Sheriff's Department deputies detained a subject during a traffic stop south of Tucson," it read.

    "The subject is currently being questioned in connection to the Nancy Guthrie investigation."

    They say additional information will be released as it becomes available.

    It is still unclear if ransom notes demanding money and deadlines already passed were authentic or if the Guthrie family has had direct contact with the kidnapper.

    As the investigation edges toward its 12th day, more questions than answers remain.


    ABC




    © 2026 ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved

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