TUCSON, Arizona, Feb 14 – Search efforts surrounding the disappearance of 84 year old Nancy Guthrie intensified late Friday night as law enforcement converged on a location just a few miles from her home in Tucson, Arizona. Nearly two weeks after she vanished under troubling circumstances, authorities confirmed that the activity was directly connected to the ongoing investigation, signaling what appears to be a significant new lead in the case.
Residents near the intersection of East Orange Grove Road and North 1st Avenue noticed a visible police presence that stretched on for several hours. Patrol vehicles, investigators, and specialized units were seen entering and exiting a residence in the area, though officials remained tight lipped about the specifics of what prompted the renewed focus on the site. The sudden escalation fueled speculation and renewed public attention, especially as concern continues to grow for Guthrie’s safety.
The sheriff of Pima County, Chris Nanos, confirmed in a brief interview with CBS affiliate KOLD that investigators were actively pursuing information related to the case. While he declined to elaborate, citing the sensitivity of the investigation, he acknowledged that the location was relevant and that authorities were following a promising lead. Later, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department issued a short statement confirming joint law enforcement activity at the residence and explained that, at the request of the FBI, no additional details could be released at this time.
Nancy Guthrie, a Tucson resident and the mother of television journalist Savannah Guthrie, was last seen during the late hours of January 31. She was reported missing the following day when family members and neighbors were unable to reach her. Investigators believe she was taken from her home during the night, an assertion that has shifted the case from a missing persons investigation to what authorities now consider an abduction.
Earlier on Friday, the sheriff’s department shared an important development, revealing that DNA evidence collected from Guthrie’s residence does not match her or individuals known to have had close contact with her. Officials have not disclosed where on the property the DNA was discovered, but they emphasized that efforts are underway to identify who it belongs to. The presence of unknown DNA has added urgency to the investigation and raised further questions about who may have been inside the home around the time she disappeared.
Federal investigators also released the first physical description of a person of interest believed to be connected to the case. The suspect is described as a man of average height, standing approximately 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall. This individual was captured on video footage obtained from a Nest doorbell camera system installed at Guthrie’s home on the night she is believed to have been abducted.
According to investigators, the video shows a man wearing a ski mask, gloves, and a backpack, moving around the property during the overnight hours. Images taken from the footage were later shared publicly in the hope that someone might recognize the individual or recall seeing someone matching the description in the area. The backpack has been identified as a black, 25 liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack, a model known to be sold exclusively at Walmart. Sources familiar with the investigation indicated that law enforcement reviewed surveillance footage from at least one Walmart location in Tucson as part of their effort to trace potential purchases.
In another development, investigators recovered a pair of black gloves believed to be linked to the suspect. The gloves are currently undergoing forensic testing, including DNA analysis, which authorities hope may provide further clues or help identify the person seen in the video.
As the case continues, the FBI has doubled the reward for information leading to either the location of Nancy Guthrie or the arrest and conviction of those responsible for her disappearance. The reward now stands at 100,000 dollars, reflecting the seriousness of the case and the determination of investigators to generate new leads. Officials say they have already received thousands of tips from the public, many of which are still being reviewed.
The emotional toll on the Guthrie family has been evident. Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have released multiple video messages, speaking directly to the public and pleading for their mother’s safe return. In their statements, they urged anyone with even the smallest piece of information to come forward, emphasizing how deeply their family is suffering as the days pass without answers.
Complicating the case further are ransom messages that have surfaced during the investigation. A ransom note sent to KOLD demanded payment in bitcoin. Despite receiving no proof of life, the Guthrie family released a video stating they were willing to comply in hopes of bringing Nancy home safely. A second ransom note was later received, containing deadlines that ultimately passed without any further communication.