Search intensifies for Nancy Guthrie, Savannah Guthrie’s mother: Investigators tow the SUV and probe signs of foul play suspected

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of TV personality Savannah Guthrie, has gripped Arizona and the nation for over a week now. Reported missing from her Catalina Foothills home on February 1, 2026, Nancy Guthrie’s case shows signs of foul play, including blood on her porch confirmed as hers via DNA. As the Pima County Sheriff’s Department intensifies its search, towing her car marks a key development, leaving the family and community desperate for answers.

Nancy Guthrie's case: Car towed and other evidence

On Friday evening, February 6, 2026, authorities towed Nancy Guthrie’s blue SUV from her garage. Video from NBC News showed the vehicle loaded onto a tow truck and driven away from the residence. A solar-powered camera came off the roof, and a white video camera was removed from the nearby casita. Forensic vehicles visited daughter Annie Guthrie’s home briefly that night. Pima County Sheriff’s Department told People magazine, “This remains an active and ongoing investigation, which includes the review of multiple pieces of evidence. At this time, we will not confirm or release additional details regarding what is being analyzed.”

Nancy Guthrie's case: Sheriff’s statements

According to Reuters, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos emphasized Nancy Guthrie’s sharpness, saying, “Nancy Guthrie of great sound mind. This is not a dementia-related case. She is as sharp as a tack.” He added on her health, “She relies on a pacemaker and medication that could prove life-threatening if missed.” On February 5, he mentioned, “Right now we believe she is still there. We want her home.” When pressed on her status, he declared, “Until proven, she’s alive.” Nanos admitted early missteps to Arizona Central, noting, “At the start this thing we weren’t sure what we had.” On crime scene handling, he reflected, “I’ll let the court worry about it. We follow the rules of law.” Regarding FBI aid, he said, “I didn’t even have to ask. They called me.” He stressed patience: “It takes as long as it takes… I just hope we haven’t minimized that any further.” “We still believe Nancy is out there. We want her home.” Authorities suspect forcible removal, not wandering, with possible ransom notes under review; one arrest tied to a fake note. No suspects named yet. Nancy Guthrie’s children describe her fragile physical health.

On this note, Tracy Walder CIA agent added, “I believe something in the note sparked them to go back to the home, expand the perimeter, and remove the vehicle for further processing," Walder says to People magazine. “Of course, anything digital will help, but to me, it sounds like the garage door never opened or closed again after 9:50 p.m., so I personally don’t think the car went anywhere. But they will look at historical data.”

Key timeline events

Nancy Guthrie took an Uber to visit her daughter for dinner and games on January 31. Tommaso Cioni, her son-in-law, married to her daughter Annie Guthrie, dropped her home around 9:50 p.m. Her doorbell camera disconnected at 1:47 a.m. February 1, motion was detected at 2 a.m., and her pacemaker app lost signal shortly after. Church friends alerted the family on Sunday when Nancy Guthrie missed services. Blood splatters on the porch tested positive for her DNA, and a front security camera vanished.

Savannah Guthrie has stayed private, but support pours in. Sheriff Chris Nanos oversees the probe, scrutinizing all involved. Day 7 brings hope amid grim clues like the towed car.