Sheriff in Nancy Guthrie case believes they know kidnapper's motive

March 13, 2026

Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC television host Savannah Guthrie, has been missing for 41 days after being abducted from her Tucson, Arizona residence on February 1st. While investigators have collected DNA samples and received ransom demands, they have not yet identified the perpetrator, though Sheriff Chris Nanos indicates authorities believe they understand the motivation behind the crime and suspect it was a deliberate targeting. The only visual evidence is doorbell camera footage showing a masked individual at the victim's residence.

Who is affected

Nancy Guthrie (84-year-old kidnapping victim)
Savannah Guthrie (NBC TV presenter and daughter of the victim)
The Guthrie family
Residents of the Catalina Foothills neighborhood in Tucson, Arizona
Pima County Sheriff's office and investigating authorities
A California man facing federal charges for fake ransom notes
A delivery man who was detained and later released

What action is being taken

A nationwide search is underway
Authorities are conducting an ongoing investigation
Sheriff Chris Nanos is warning residents to remain vigilant
Savannah Guthrie is posting videos on social media making direct appeals to the captor
Savannah Guthrie is offering $1 million for information leading to her mother's return

Why it matters

This case matters because it represents a targeted kidnapping that authorities believe could result in additional attacks, creating a public safety threat to the affluent Catalina Foothills community. The high-profile nature of the victim's family has brought national attention to the case, while the prolonged disappearance of an elderly woman and the lack of suspect identification despite available evidence raises concerns about investigative challenges. The sheriff's explicit warning that the perpetrator may strike again underscores the ongoing danger to the community.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC