As the search for Nancy Guthrie approaches its fourth week, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos says the investigation into her disappearance continues to expand.
In an interview with NBC News conducted Friday, Feb. 20, and published the following day, Nanos discussed the latest developments in the case involving the 84-year-old mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) initiated an urgent search for Guthrie on Feb. 1. When asked whether the investigation was gaining or losing momentum three weeks later, Nanos indicated that efforts remain active.
“In terms of leads and working and getting out there, I think that’s still growing,” Nanos said. “It’s never fast enough for the sheriff. I want it like you — ‘Come on, let’s go, let’s find her.’ But the reality is that sometimes things take time.”
Nanos confirmed that authorities are not currently focused on any specific individuals.
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Guthrie was last seen on Jan. 31. Investigators believe she was kidnapped during the early hours of Feb. 1. Surveillance footage captured a masked, armed individual appearing to tamper with her doorbell camera. According to Nanos, detectives are making progress in analyzing details from the video.
“We’re getting a little closer to identifying some of the other articles worn by the person,” he said, referencing clothing items such as shoes, pants, and outerwear.
Authorities also continue to examine forensic evidence collected from Guthrie’s Tucson, Arizona home. Nanos revealed that DNA samples recovered from the residence contain genetic material from multiple individuals, complicating the analysis.
“Our lab tells us that there are challenges with it,” he explained. “Technology is advancing rapidly, and investigators are hopeful that some of these difficulties may be resolved over time.”
Despite the complexities of the case, Nanos delivered a message of determination.
“We’re not quitting,” he said. “We’ll find her.”
The sheriff’s remarks follow recent statements ruling out Guthrie’s family members — including siblings and spouses — as suspects.
“We talked to them, we took their phones, we took their computers. We did everything,” Nanos said in a statement earlier this week. “They have been victims.”
The FBI has offered a reward for information leading to Guthrie’s recovery or an arrest. That amount recently doubled to $200,000 following an anonymous donation to support the investigation.
