The search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, entered its seventh day on Friday with several major developments that have intensified the investigation and drawn national attention. Authorities believe Guthrie was abducted from her Arizona home in the Catalina Foothills area north of Tucson sometime between the night of January 31 and the early hours of February 1. Despite extensive search efforts and federal involvement, she remains missing.
Investigators say evidence strongly suggests Guthrie was taken against her will. DNA testing confirmed that blood found on her porch belonged to her, while her home security system had been deliberately disabled. Officials also revealed that the connection to her pacemaker was severed, deepening concerns about her well-being.
As part of the ongoing probe, law enforcement officers seized a blue Subaru SUV from inside Guthrie’s garage on Friday. The vehicle was towed from the property and taken to an impound lot near the Pima County Sheriff’s Office for forensic examination. Authorities have not confirmed whether the SUV is directly linked to the abduction but say it is now a key piece of evidence under review.
FBI agents were also seen examining the roof of Guthrie’s home, where they removed what appeared to be a wired camera device. A neighbor told investigators she contacted police after noticing the roof looked unusually clean compared to surrounding homes, raising suspicion. Officials have not yet clarified whether the device was planted or part of existing surveillance equipment.
Federal authorities confirmed they are investigating a second message possibly connected to the case that was sent to Arizona-based KOLD 13 News on Friday morning. In a joint statement, the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department said investigators are actively assessing the authenticity of the message and determining whether it has any credible connection to Guthrie’s disappearance. Officials cautioned that several messages linked to the case have proven unreliable.
President Donald Trump suggested on Friday that investigators may be closing in on answers. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said authorities were making strong progress and had uncovered clues he described as “very strong.” When asked whether a suspect had been identified, the president hinted that recent developments could soon lead to definitive conclusions.
Meanwhile, a Los Angeles man accused of attempting to exploit the situation by sending fake ransom messages appeared in court. Prosecutors identified the suspect as Derrick Callella, 42, alleging he sent fraudulent bitcoin ransom demands to Guthrie’s family members. Authorities stressed that his alleged actions are not connected to earlier ransom demands sent to media outlets. Callella was released on a $20,000 bond and has not entered a plea.
Investigators also expressed frustration over the lack of usable footage from Guthrie’s doorbell camera. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said the camera was disconnected early Sunday morning, and although motion activity was recorded, no video was saved because the system did not have an active subscription. Officials believe the missing footage could have provided crucial insight into Guthrie’s final known moments.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement agencies say they remain committed to exploring every lead. Guthrie’s family has appealed for privacy while holding onto hope that she will be found alive. Authorities have reiterated that the case remains active on multiple fronts and that developments in recent hours suggest investigators may be closer to uncovering what happened.