It has been almost two weeks since Nancy Guthrie was reported missing from her home in Tucson, Arizona. Authorities are working intensely to bring home the mother of “Today” show cohost Savannah Guthrie, who has consistently pleaded for her mother’s safe return on social media.

FBI Closing in on a Suspect

A suspect is in the process of being confirmed in the case after new photos and videos were released from Nancy Guthrie’s Nest doorbell, which was originally disabled when the suspected kidnappers entered her home. The FBI in Phoenix finally referred to this case as a “kidnapping” in a social media post on February 12. The images show a male about “5’9″ – 5’10” tall, with an average build, wearing a black, 25-liter ‘Ozark Trail Hiker Pack’ backpack.”

The new description comes days after the FBI posted video footage recovered from the doorbell camera showing two different men entering the home at different points. Both were masked, and there were not many other identifying factors. Authorities are looking for further possible leads to bring Nancy Guthrie home. 

As of February 12, 2026, “the FBI is increasing its reward up to $100,000 for information leading to the location of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.” They are closely identifying and verifying any tips or notes received for validity. 

Authorities ask anyone with information to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department (520-351-4900), or 88-CRIME. 

Nancy Guthrie Kidnapped

The 84-year-old mother of three, Nancy Guthrie, has been missing for 13 days. She was last seen being dropped off the evening of January 31, 2026, and was reported missing by her family the following afternoon. Officials initially assumed she had wandered off, but her family insisted she was of sound mind but needed her medication to live. They began treating it as a kidnapping since her family was convinced she was taken from her home.

The photos and videos released of one of the suspects in Guthrie’s disappearance was wearing a pair of black gloves. While searching her home for any evidence, the investigators located a pair and submitted them for DNA analysis. Authorities say that there are no further press briefings at this time, so they can focus on the investigation.

Suspect’s Backpack

Authorities are focusing on the items worn by the suspects and believe that the black backpack can serve as a major clue in Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. The FBI describes the bag as a black, 25-liter “Ozark Trail Hiker Pack,” which is reportedly a private-label brand only sold to Walmart.

NBC News’s national law enforcement and intelligence correspondent, Tom Winter, appeared on a segment on the “Today” show to offer insight into the backpack and why it would be an important clue. If the suspect purchased the backpack new from Walmart, police could subpoena Walmart for a list of people who recently purchased the product in the area.

“Even if they bought by cash, you would still have a record of that person buying, perhaps surveillance video of that person buying,” Winter explained. “And if you have anybody who bought this on credit card, and it matches any of the names that you’ve been hearing about over the last couple of days, well, that’s a significant lead.”

“Because then what they’ll do is they’ll turn to the driver’s license database and say, ‘How many of those names match with a male between 5’8 and 5’12, or 5’8 and 5’11,’ and say, ‘OK, that’s somebody we really need to be focused on,‘” he continued.

Man Charged for False Ransom

A man from Southern California was arrested early this month for allegedly submitting a false ransom demand to Nancy Guthrie’s family. Derrick Callella, 42, made his first court appearance since being arrested and was charged with transmitting a demand for ransom in interstate commerce without identifying himself and using a telecommunications device with the intent to abuse, threaten, or harass a person, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.

Callella is accused of texting “A.C. and T.C., the daughter and son-in-law of N.G.,” identical messages that read, “Did you get the bitcoin? We’re [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction,” according to the filed complaint.

“Through the course of the investigation, it was found that Callella was acting as an imposter, trying to take advantage of the ongoing situation,” the February 12 press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona stated. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI will continue to hold this defendant accountable and any other individuals who seek to interfere with federal investigations or profit from the victim family’s grief.”