Nancy Guthrie case: $1M reward offered as FBI moves command post

More than two weeks after Nancy Guthrie, 84, was abducted from her Tucson home, the investigation escalated Feb. 13 when a heavy law-enforcement presence descended on a neighborhood about two miles away, blocking roads, collecting potential evidence and towing a vehicle. Authorities say the multi-state search — led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local agencies — continues to focus on an armed, masked suspect captured in surveillance images. Guthrie’s family, including NBC “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie, has repeatedly pleaded for information as investigators review thousands of tips in the ongoing abduction case.

Anyone with information is urged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI. The FBI says thousands of tips have been received and continue to be reviewed.

A $100,000 reward remains in effect for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved.

Timeline: Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie

Below is a timeline of key moments in the investigation, from the last time Guthrie was seen to the latest developments in the case.

Saturday, Jan. 31

9:48 p.m. – 9:50 p.m.

Guthrie returns to her Catalina Foothills home after dinner with family. Her garage door closes at 9:50 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 1

1:47 a.m.

A doorbell camera at Guthrie's home is disconnected. Investigators do not have the device.

2:12 a.m.

Camera software detects a person at the house, but no video is available due to a lack of subscription.

2:28 a.m.

Guthrie’s pacemaker disconnects from her cellphone.

Late morning

Family members are alerted that Guthrie did not attend church service.

11:56 a.m.

Family checks Guthrie's home.

12:03 p.m.

Nancy Guthrie is reported missing.

12:15 p.m.

Deputies arrive and begin a search.

Sunday–Monday, Feb. 1–2

• Authorities conduct an extensive ground and aerial search using dogs, drones, helicopters and infrared technology.

• Hospitals are checked repeatedly.

• Investigators determine Guthrie did not leave the house on her own.

Tuesday, Feb. 3

• Sheriff Chris Nanos announces the case is being investigated as a criminal abduction.

• Evidence from the home is processed and submitted for DNA testing.

• A public tip line and QR code are launched.

Wednesday, Feb. 4

• Media outlets report receiving ransom letters demanding payment in cryptocurrency.

• Sheriff’s officials acknowledge “possible ransom note(s)” are being reviewed.

• DNA found at the home is confirmed to belong to Nancy Guthrie.

• No suspects, vehicles or suspect DNA evidence are identified.

• Nanos says medication Guthrie needs daily is critical to her survival.

• The FBI confirms it is assisting with the investigation.

Thursday, Feb. 5

• Sheriff Nanos says investigators are hopeful Guthrie is alive.

• He confirms blood found on the porch belongs to Guthrie, but will not say if blood was found elsewhere on the property.

• A more detailed timeline is released showing the possible early-morning abduction window.

• The FBI significantly expands its involvement, bringing in agents, analysts, digital forensics teams and crisis negotiators from Quantico.

• The FBI announces a $50,000 reward for information leading to Guthrie’s recovery or arrests in the case.

• A ransom note deadline of 5 p.m. is disclosed.

• Savannah Guthrie and her siblings release a video plea asking for their mother’s return, with FBI consultation.

Friday, Feb. 6

• The first ransom deadline passes with no direct contact made with the family.

• Authorities say no suspects or persons of interest have been identified. Also, no one is ruled out.

• Sheriff Nanos says investigators are “looking at everybody.”

• Digital billboards begin appearing in other states as the search expands regionally.

Saturday, Feb. 7

• The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and FBI confirm receipt of a new message related to the case.

• Investigators say the message is being reviewed for authenticity.

• Tucson station KOLD reports receiving the message and turning it over to law enforcement.

• Officials note the message comes ahead of a second ransom deadline of Monday, Feb. 9

• Authorities again urge the public to contact the FBI tip line with any information.

Sunday, Feb. 8

Guthrie’s adult children release a video saying they will pay ransom for her return.

Savannah Guthrie says, “We will pay,” after receiving a message believed to be from the kidnappers.

Monday, Feb. 9

CNN and Tucson’s KGUN report a purported ransom note sent to KGUN demands $6 million by 5 p.m. and includes a threat on Guthrie’s life.

Authorities do not confirm the note’s authenticity or the dollar amount. An X post about the details from the note has since been deleted, and the station said the ransom figure was not confirmed by authorities, reports say.

Sheriff’s officials say:

• No suspects, persons of interest or vehicles have been identified

• A security presence remains at Guthrie’s home at the family’s request

• Detectives and agents continue follow-up work at multiple locations

Additional developments:

• Investigators remove a manhole cover at Guthrie’s home; details not confirmed

• Prayers are held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church

• FBI expands the search with digital billboards in major U.S. cities

• A $50,000 reward remains in effect

Tuesday, Feb. 10

• A man from Rio Rico is detained for hours in connection with the case, then released without charges.

• Investigators continue processing evidence and following up on thousands of tips.

Wednesday, Feb. 11

• Authorities confirm some DNA found at the scene does not match Nancy Guthrie or anyone close to her.

• The investigation continues across multiple locations.

Thursday, Feb. 12

• The FBI releases a suspect description based on doorbell camera analysis.

• Suspect described as an armed man about 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-10 with an average build and a black Ozark Trail backpack.

• Reward for information is increased to $100,000.

Friday, Feb. 13

• Law enforcement swarms an area near Orange Grove Road and First Avenue about two miles from Guthrie’s home.

• Agencies on scene include the Pima County Sheriff's Department, FBI and multiple local police departments.

• Gloves believed to be potential evidence are found nearby.

• Investigators photograph and tow a gray Range Rover from a nearby parking lot.

Saturday, Feb. 14

• No confirmed public updates on Guthrie’s location; investigation remains active.

• Authorities continue reviewing tips and evidence as the multi-agency search continues.

Sunday, Feb. 15

• The FBI announces that a DNA sample was successfully obtained from a glove found roughly two miles from Nancy Guthrie’s home. The glove visually matches the pair worn by the masked, armed individual seen in the Feb. 1 surveillance footage.

Tuesday, Feb. 17

• Hopes for a quick identification are dashed when the FBI reports that the DNA profile from the recovered glove did not produce a match in the national CODIS database.

Wednesday, Feb. 18

• The reward for information jumps to over $200,000 after an anonymous donor contributes $100,000 to the 88-CRIME tip line. Sheriff Chris Nanos states his belief that Guthrie was initially held somewhere near her home region based on physical evidence patterns.

Sunday, Feb. 22

• Search volunteers discover a backpack near Guthrie’s property. However, after forensic review, investigators rule it out as evidence, stating it is unlikely to be connected to the disappearance.

Tuesday, Feb. 24

• In an emotional Instagram video marking Day 24 of the disappearance, Savannah Guthrie announces the family is now offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to her mother's recovery. She tearfully acknowledges that while they "believe in a miracle," they also fear she "may already be gone."

Wednesday, Feb. 25

• FBI evidence recovery teams conduct a final sweep of Nancy Guthrie’s Tucson residence. Sources indicate law enforcement is preparing to return the home to the family, as they no longer have a reason to seal it as a crime scene.

Thursday, Feb. 26

• The FBI confirms it is moving its primary command post for the investigation from Tucson to Phoenix for long-term efficiency. While specialized squads remain in Tucson, Pima County officials implement a parking ban around the Guthrie neighborhood to manage the "chaotic" presence of media and social media streamers.

This article was prepared with the help of AI technology using information collected and verified by journalists.