Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos expressed growing confidence Tuesday that investigators are on the verge of a breakthrough in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC anchor Savannah Guthrie. Speaking to People, Nanos said authorities are “getting closer” to solving the case, which has now passed the 100-day mark since Guthrie vanished from her home near Tucson.
“Every day our DNA labs are working with our investigators, and they’re coming up with different ideas and different thoughts of how to help them make this DNA work for us,” Nanos said. “How can we do more with what we have? And so that’s why I say it is — I think we’re getting closer.”
The sheriff’s office confirmed that advanced DNA sequencing techniques remain a central focus, alongside digital media analysis. In a statement marking the grim milestone, the Pima County Sheriff’s Office said: “As we reach the 100-day mark in this investigation, scientific evidence processing and digital media analysis remain ongoing. PCSD and FBI personnel continue to review evidence using established forensic protocols.”
Guthrie was last seen on January 31 after being dropped off at her home by a family member. Authorities believe she was specifically targeted and abducted. Investigators are scrutinizing a series of cryptic messages sent to media outlets, including at least one demanding a bitcoin ransom. Separately, TMZ received communications from an individual claiming to know the kidnapper’s identity and demanding $100,000 in cryptocurrency.
The case has drawn national attention, in part because of Savannah Guthrie’s high-profile role at NBC, which recently turned Wordle into a primetime game show hosted by her. But the investigation has also sparked political scrutiny. FBI Director Patel has alleged the bureau was shut out of the probe for four days, a claim the sheriff’s office has not directly addressed.
Authorities have not confirmed whether more than one suspect is involved, nor have they commented on the identity of the person seen in widely circulated home surveillance footage. No motive has been released. Nanos himself has faced a removal threat amid the ongoing investigation, but he remains focused on the forensic work.
“We’re doing everything we can with the evidence we have,” Nanos added. “The public should know we haven’t stopped, and we won’t stop until we find Nancy.”
