Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has been missing since early February 1, 2026, from her home in Tucson, Arizona. What began as a quiet evening after relatives dropped her off on January 31 escalated into a national kidnapping investigation when she failed to appear for church services the following day. Authorities quickly determined she was taken against her will, supported by blood drops on her front porch matching her DNA, a disconnected pacemaker, and her phone and Apple Watch left behind inside the residence.
The breakthrough came on February 10, 2026, when the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department released previously inaccessible surveillance footage from a Google Nest doorbell camera. The images and video show a masked individual—described as a “potential subject”—approaching the front door in the pre-dawn hours. Wearing a ski mask with openings for eyes and mouth, gloves, long sleeves, pants, a backpack, and what appears to be a holstered handgun at the waist, the person deliberately attempts to obscure the camera. They cover it with a gloved hand and shove nearby foliage in front to block the view, damaging plants in the process. One chilling detail highlighted in the images: remnants of broken foliage scattered on the welcome mat, circled in red by investigators as an overlooked clue from the tampering.
This evidence was recovered from residual backend data after the device was disabled, likely during the abduction. Initially, no footage was accessible due to the lack of an active subscription and possible physical tampering or removal. Over eight days, law enforcement collaborated with private sector partners to retrieve corrupted or lost recordings. FBI Director Kash Patel announced the release on X, stating: “Law enforcement has uncovered these previously inaccessible new images showing an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door the morning of her disappearance.”
The footage adds a terrifying layer to the case. The intruder’s careful actions suggest premeditation rather than a crime of opportunity. They hunch forward, glance around, and methodically block the camera before entering. The damaged foliage on the mat—missed in initial reviews—serves as physical evidence of the tampering, potentially yielding fingerprints, fibers, or DNA if analyzed further. Authorities released the images publicly, hoping someone recognizes the clothing, build, or gait. The person is not identified as a suspect or person of interest yet, but the deliberate disguise and weapon indicate planning.
Nancy’s medical needs heighten urgency. She requires daily medication for high blood pressure and heart issues, and her pacemaker disconnected from her phone around 2:30 a.m. on February 1. Retired FBI profiler John MacVeigh suggested her Apple Watch data—left at home—could reveal distress signals, elevated heart rate, or movement patterns in the hours before the disconnect. Investigators want to know what occurred between 9:30-10 p.m. and 2 a.m.: normal bedtime or signs of a struggle?
Multiple ransom notes surfaced early, containing specific details about Nancy’s home and clothing, one demanding Bitcoin. Deadlines passed without proof of life or contact for payment, raising fears. At least two notes were delivered to media outlets, with the second described as “much more serious.” The family issued public pleas, offering to pay ransom and begging for her return. Savannah Guthrie posted on Instagram: “We believe she is still alive. Bring her home.” She shared the new images with a desperate call for tips: “Anyone with information, please contact 1-800-CALL-FBI or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department 520-351-4900.”
The family does not recognize the intruder or clothing. Neighbors reported a suspected trespasser lurking in a nearby yard weeks earlier, and cops seized a vehicle from the home and removed a roof camera during initial searches. Digital billboards from Texas to California urge tips, and the White House press secretary noted President Donald Trump watched the footage and expressed “pure disgust,” encouraging information to the FBI.
Public reaction has been intense. Social media comments express heartbreak: “Praying every single day,” “This is heartbreaking beyond measure,” and pleas to report anything seen or heard. The cruelty of targeting an elderly woman living alone has gripped the nation, especially given Savannah Guthrie’s public profile.
As the search enters its second week, the tampered camera footage represents hope amid despair. The “missed” foliage clue on the doorstep could hold forensic value, while the intruder’s identity remains elusive. Authorities stress that even small details could help: “Someone has that one piece of information that can help us bring Nancy home.”
The case highlights vulnerabilities of home security systems—tampering can disable evidence—and the critical need for active subscriptions and backups. For the Guthrie family, every hour counts. Nancy’s health conditions make time a deadly factor. The released images serve as both a chilling reminder of the night she vanished and a desperate appeal for information that could lead to her safe return.