Topline: Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said new leads are still being pursued but no suspects identified in the disappearance of the 84-year-old.
Published: February 24, 2026 8:00 am ET
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Left: Nancy Guthrie, Right: Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos (via Instagram/NBC)
TUCSON, AZ — The Pima County sheriff said the investigation into the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie is expanding as the search enters its fourth week.
Sheriff Chris Nanos told NBC News in an interview on Feb. 20 that the volume of leads in the case continues to increase. Nanos said that while he wants the case resolved quickly, he acknowledged that the process takes time.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department launched the search for Guthrie on Feb. 1. Investigators believe she was kidnapped from her home by an armed person wearing a mask. Guthrie, 84, was last seen the night of Jan. 31 before the suspected kidnapping the following morning.
Surveillance footage captured a suspect appearing to tamper with a doorbell camera in the early morning hours at the residence. Nanos said investigators are working to identify specific items worn by the individual, including a backpack, shoes, pants and a jacket.
The sheriff confirmed that his department does not currently have any named suspects. Forensic teams are also facing difficulties with DNA evidence recovered from the scene.
Nanos said DNA samples taken from inside the Tucson home are mixed, meaning they contain genetic material from multiple people. This complexity has made it difficult for technicians to run the samples through law enforcement databases.
According to him, the crime lab reported that technological advancements may help resolve these DNA challenges. He noted this could take weeks or months.
“Our lab tells us that there’s challenges with it,” Nanos told NBC News. “The technology is moving so fast and in such a frenzy that they think some of this stuff will resolve itself in a matter of weeks, months or maybe a year.”
Nanos addressed the status of the Guthrie family in a statement to NBC News released Feb. 17. He said authorities processed the phones, computers, vehicles and homes of family members.
“We talked to them, we took their phones, we took their computers,” Nanos explained. “I mean, we did everything. We processed their vehicles, we processed their homes. They have been really … They’re victims.”
The sheriff said the family has been cooperative and that investigators consider them victims. Nanos said the department is not quitting the search and told the family that authorities will find Guthrie.
The financial incentive for information leading to Guthrie’s recovery or an arrest has increased. An anonymous donation doubled the existing reward, bringing the total to over $200,000. The FBI originally offered $100,000 before the private donation was made.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI are leading the joint investigation. Authorities have asked anyone with actionable information to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Sheriff: Investigation Into Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping ‘Still Growing’ After Three Weeks
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said new leads are still being pursued but no suspects identified in the disappearance of the 84-year-old.
By Kate Byrd
Published: February 24, 2026 8:00 am ET
Left: Nancy Guthrie, Right: Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos (via Instagram/NBC)
TUCSON, AZ — The Pima County sheriff said the investigation into the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie is expanding as the search enters its fourth week.
Sheriff Chris Nanos told NBC News in an interview on Feb. 20 that the volume of leads in the case continues to increase. Nanos said that while he wants the case resolved quickly, he acknowledged that the process takes time.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department launched the search for Guthrie on Feb. 1. Investigators believe she was kidnapped from her home by an armed person wearing a mask. Guthrie, 84, was last seen the night of Jan. 31 before the suspected kidnapping the following morning.
Surveillance footage captured a suspect appearing to tamper with a doorbell camera in the early morning hours at the residence. Nanos said investigators are working to identify specific items worn by the individual, including a backpack, shoes, pants and a jacket.
The sheriff confirmed that his department does not currently have any named suspects. Forensic teams are also facing difficulties with DNA evidence recovered from the scene.
Nanos said DNA samples taken from inside the Tucson home are mixed, meaning they contain genetic material from multiple people. This complexity has made it difficult for technicians to run the samples through law enforcement databases.
According to him, the crime lab reported that technological advancements may help resolve these DNA challenges. He noted this could take weeks or months.
“Our lab tells us that there’s challenges with it,” Nanos told NBC News. “The technology is moving so fast and in such a frenzy that they think some of this stuff will resolve itself in a matter of weeks, months or maybe a year.”
Nanos addressed the status of the Guthrie family in a statement to NBC News released Feb. 17. He said authorities processed the phones, computers, vehicles and homes of family members.
“We talked to them, we took their phones, we took their computers,” Nanos explained. “I mean, we did everything. We processed their vehicles, we processed their homes. They have been really … They’re victims.”
The sheriff said the family has been cooperative and that investigators consider them victims. Nanos said the department is not quitting the search and told the family that authorities will find Guthrie.
The financial incentive for information leading to Guthrie’s recovery or an arrest has increased. An anonymous donation doubled the existing reward, bringing the total to over $200,000. The FBI originally offered $100,000 before the private donation was made.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI are leading the joint investigation. Authorities have asked anyone with actionable information to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Sheriff: Investigation Into Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping ‘Still Growing’ After Three Weeks
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said new leads are still being pursued but no suspects identified in the disappearance of the 84-year-old.
By Kate Byrd
Published: February 24, 2026 8:00 am ET
Left: Nancy Guthrie, Right: Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos (via Instagram/NBC)
TUCSON, AZ — The Pima County sheriff said the investigation into the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie is expanding as the search enters its fourth week.
Sheriff Chris Nanos told NBC News in an interview on Feb. 20 that the volume of leads in the case continues to increase. Nanos said that while he wants the case resolved quickly, he acknowledged that the process takes time.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department launched the search for Guthrie on Feb. 1. Investigators believe she was kidnapped from her home by an armed person wearing a mask. Guthrie, 84, was last seen the night of Jan. 31 before the suspected kidnapping the following morning.
Surveillance footage captured a suspect appearing to tamper with a doorbell camera in the early morning hours at the residence. Nanos said investigators are working to identify specific items worn by the individual, including a backpack, shoes, pants and a jacket.
The sheriff confirmed that his department does not currently have any named suspects. Forensic teams are also facing difficulties with DNA evidence recovered from the scene.
Nanos said DNA samples taken from inside the Tucson home are mixed, meaning they contain genetic material from multiple people. This complexity has made it difficult for technicians to run the samples through law enforcement databases.
According to him, the crime lab reported that technological advancements may help resolve these DNA challenges. He noted this could take weeks or months.
“Our lab tells us that there’s challenges with it,” Nanos told NBC News. “The technology is moving so fast and in such a frenzy that they think some of this stuff will resolve itself in a matter of weeks, months or maybe a year.”
Nanos addressed the status of the Guthrie family in a statement to NBC News released Feb. 17. He said authorities processed the phones, computers, vehicles and homes of family members.
“We talked to them, we took their phones, we took their computers,” Nanos explained. “I mean, we did everything. We processed their vehicles, we processed their homes. They have been really … They’re victims.”
The sheriff said the family has been cooperative and that investigators consider them victims. Nanos said the department is not quitting the search and told the family that authorities will find Guthrie.
The financial incentive for information leading to Guthrie’s recovery or an arrest has increased. An anonymous donation doubled the existing reward, bringing the total to over $200,000. The FBI originally offered $100,000 before the private donation was made.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI are leading the joint investigation. Authorities have asked anyone with actionable information to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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