As the search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie enters its third week, the Tucson community—and the nation—remain gripped by a case that has revealed both the dogged determination of law enforcement and the scrutiny facing Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos. The latest developments unfolded late Friday, February 13, 2026, when the Pima County SWAT team descended on a Tucson neighborhood just minutes from Guthrie’s home, intensifying hopes that a breakthrough might be near. Yet, as the Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed, this operation was directly linked to the Guthrie investigation but, at the FBI’s request, no additional details were released to the public.
The sense of urgency is palpable. According to CBS News, law enforcement activity ramped up at a location about two miles from Guthrie’s residence, with Sheriff Nanos confirming, “We are actively working a lead. I cannot say anything else.” The secrecy, while frustrating for those desperate for answers, is a sign of the high stakes and the delicate nature of the investigation.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on January 31, 2026. She was reported missing the next day when she failed to show up for church, a routine she rarely missed. Authorities believe she was abducted from her home in the middle of the night. The FBI, now deeply involved, has released images of a suspect captured on Guthrie’s Nest doorbell camera that night: a person of average build, standing about 5-foot-9 or 5-foot-10, clad in a ski mask, gloves, and a black 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack—an exclusive Walmart brand. According to CBS News, investigators have poured over surveillance footage from a local Walmart, hoping to trace the purchase of the distinctive backpack, but so far, no public breakthroughs have been announced.
DNA evidence has added another layer to the mystery. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department revealed on Friday afternoon that they had collected DNA from Guthrie’s home that did not match her or anyone in her immediate circle. Investigators are working to identify the source, but have not disclosed where on the property the DNA was found. Additionally, a pair of shoes recently located are undergoing DNA testing, as reported by CBS News.
Meanwhile, the Guthrie family’s anguish has played out in public. Savannah Guthrie, co-host of NBC’s “Today” show and Nancy’s daughter, has joined her siblings in releasing multiple pleas for information and her mother’s safe return. The family has even offered to pay a ransom after receiving two notes demanding payment in bitcoin. Both deadlines set by the abductors have come and gone without further contact or proof of life, leaving the family and investigators in a painful limbo.
The FBI has doubled its reward to $100,000 for information leading to either the location of Nancy Guthrie or the arrest and conviction of those responsible. The hope is that the increased incentive will prompt someone with crucial knowledge to come forward. As Savannah Guthrie and her family continue to hope for a miracle, the outpouring of support from the Tucson community has been striking. “We just wanted to show our support,” said local resident Becca, who brought flowers to the family. “I’ve watched Savannah all these years, and I’m just thinking about what if it was my mother.”
Authorities have cast a wide net in their search. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI have combed rural and rugged terrain around Tucson, including the Catalina Foothills where both Nancy and her daughter Annie live. They’ve asked anyone living within a two-mile radius of Guthrie’s home to submit any security footage from January 1 to February 2 that might show something unusual. One man was briefly detained after a tip that his eyes resembled those of the masked suspect, but he was released after investigation, according to FOX 10.
As the investigation has dragged on, rumors of infighting between local law enforcement and the FBI have surfaced. But Sheriff Nanos has pushed back firmly. In a Fox News interview, he stated, “Not even close to accurate. We don’t hold any information from someone trying to help us. Why would we do that?” He also praised the Guthrie family’s cooperation, emphasizing, “This is all about finding Nancy. That’s all it is.”
The case has also shone a spotlight on Nanos himself. As Fox News reports, the sheriff has faced controversy before, especially during his narrow 2024 re-election. Lawsuits from political opponents Heather Lappin and Sgt. Aaron Cross allege that Nanos retaliated against them for their campaigns, raising questions about department culture and leadership. The Pima County Board of Supervisors called for independent investigations into Nanos’ actions during the election and in response to a 2022 sexual assault case involving a department supervisor. Although no criminal wrongdoing was found, the department was criticized for possible internal rule violations.
Further complicating matters, the department’s handling of evidence and cooperation with the FBI has been questioned. Some critics accused Nanos of slow-rolling federal involvement and sending evidence to a private Florida lab instead of the FBI’s Quantico headquarters. Nanos, however, defended his choices in a Fox News interview, explaining, “Why split your evidence to two different labs that could create a conflict, but more importantly, it adds that additional step… We trust the FBI’s crime lab. We’ve used them before. But, in this case, we started with that lab. It’s just that simple.” He also denied any delay in contacting the FBI, saying he reached out on February 2, the first business day after Guthrie was reported missing.
Despite the swirling controversies, both local and federal law enforcement remain united in their public messaging. Retired FBI Special Agent Michael Tabman explained to FOX 10 how identifying the backpack could be a critical lead: “They can track it down to where someone bought one. Profiles. Things bought. Ethnicity, age, sex—to see how those things are selling. They can track it down to a particular transaction.” It’s a reminder of the painstaking, methodical work that underpins such investigations, even as the public clamors for swift answers.
Billboards have gone up as far away as Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the investigation continues to draw national attention. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI have asked for patience and vigilance from the public, urging anyone with information—no matter how small—to come forward. At the heart of it all is a family desperate for answers, a community on edge, and a law enforcement team determined to bring Nancy Guthrie home.
The search for Nancy Guthrie remains a test of perseverance, trust, and hope in the face of uncertainty, as investigators chase every lead and a family—and a nation—wait for news.