Pima County investigators have uncovered a disturbing new clue in the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie: a small piece of paper bearing unusual symbols tucked inside her wallet. The discovery was made during a meticulous evidence review at her Catalina Foothills home, where she was last seen around 9:40 p.m. on January 31, 2026. Notably, the wallet still contained all of its cash and credit cards—ruling out robbery as the motive and intensifying suspicions of a targeted abduction.
Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed the find during a brief update to reporters on February 2, describing the paper as “a small, folded note with handwritten or printed characters that do not appear to be standard English lettering.” He declined to release images or describe the symbols in detail, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation, but emphasized that the item was located in a compartment of Nancy’s purse that she rarely used. “The fact that the money was untouched tells us this was not about theft,” Nanos said. “Whoever was in that house wanted something else—something specific—and this note may be connected.”
The paper was found folded neatly among personal items: a few family photos, a grocery list, and her driver’s license. Forensic teams have since photographed and cataloged it, sending copies to document examiners, cryptographers, and linguists for analysis. Preliminary examinations suggest the markings could be a code, foreign script, or even a set of deliberately obscure symbols designed to convey a message only to the intended recipient. No fingerprints other than Nancy’s have been lifted from the paper so far, though testing continues on the surrounding wallet contents.
The discovery has dramatically shifted the investigative focus. Early theories centered on opportunistic home invasion or a possible medical emergency, but the untouched cash combined with signs of disturbance inside the home—displaced furniture in the living room, an open back door that Nancy kept locked at night, and the absence of her cellphone—point toward premeditation. The 8-second security footage captured around 9:40 p.m., showing Nancy moving calmly through her hallway before abruptly disappearing from frame, now takes on added weight. Detectives are re-examining every frame to determine whether the note could have been placed in her wallet earlier that evening or during the critical window when she vanished.
Nancy’s daughter, Savannah Guthrie, has remained in Tucson since arriving to support the family. Through NBC she released a short statement: “We are holding onto hope and cooperating fully with law enforcement. The love and prayers from so many people mean more than words can express. Please keep sharing information if you have any.” Savannah, who has spoken publicly about her close relationship with her mother, appeared emotional in brief footage outside the sheriff’s office, hugging relatives as search teams continued to comb the surrounding foothills.
The Catalina Foothills neighborhood—typically quiet, with gated entries and private security—has been shaken by the case. Residents have voluntarily submitted doorbell and dashcam footage from the night of January 31 into February 1, hoping to capture a vehicle, pedestrian, or unusual activity near Skyline Drive and Campbell Avenue. One neighbor reported hearing a single, muffled sound—possibly a door closing—around 10:15 p.m., but nothing loud enough to prompt a 911 call at the time. Another resident’s Ring camera showed a dark SUV idling briefly two streets over at 10:05 p.m., though no clear license plate was visible.
Nancy’s health adds urgency. She relies on daily medication for a chronic condition; missing even one dose can lead to serious complications. Authorities believe she was taken shortly after the 9:40 p.m. footage, meaning she has now been without her prescriptions for over 48 hours. Search-and-rescue teams, supported by K-9 units and drones, have expanded their grid to include remote desert areas, dry riverbeds, and abandoned structures within a 20-mile radius. The homicide unit’s early involvement signals that investigators are preparing for the possibility of foul play escalating beyond abduction.
The strange symbols have sparked widespread speculation. Online forums and true-crime communities have compared them (based on leaked descriptions) to everything from ancient runes and Masonic markings to gang tags and even cryptocurrency wallet codes. While most theories remain unsubstantiated, the untouched cash strongly suggests the perpetrator’s goal was not financial. Some investigators privately wonder whether the note was left intentionally as a message—either for Nancy’s family, for law enforcement, or as part of a larger scheme.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office has urged the public to remain vigilant but not to approach strangers or attempt amateur sleuthing. A dedicated tip line has received hundreds of calls, including several from people claiming to recognize similar symbols from past encounters. Cryptanalysis experts from federal agencies have been consulted, though no breakthrough has been announced.
For the Guthrie family, the note represents both a terrifying enigma and a faint thread of hope. If the symbols can be decoded, they may reveal motive, identity, or even location. Until then, every hour without Nancy increases the anguish. The once-peaceful Catalina Foothills home now stands empty, cordoned off with yellow tape, its security cameras silent witnesses to the 8 seconds that changed everything.
As Tucson and the nation wait for answers, the small piece of paper with its cryptic markings remains the most tantalizing—and chilling—clue yet. Whoever placed it there, and whatever it means, holds the key to bringing Nancy Guthrie home.
