State Watch

Arizona Sheriff Chris Nanos: ‘Getting closer,’ in Nancy Guthrie investigation

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by Sean Noone - 05/15/26 11:57 AM ET

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by Sean Noone - 05/15/26 11:57 AM ET

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(NewsNation) — The Arizona sheriff investigating the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie told People he believes authorities are “getting closer” to cracking the case.

“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,” Pima County Sheriff Chris 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,” he added.

The search for Guthrie hit the 100-day mark Tuesday, with investigators saying “scientific evidence processing and digital media analysis remain ongoing” to find the missing 84-year-old woman.

“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,” the Pima County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

Guthrie was last seen at her home Jan. 31 in Pima County, near Tucson.

She is believed to have been abducted, and investigators are scrutinizing messages that have been sent to media outlets, possibly from kidnappers, at least one of which made a bitcoin ransom demand.

Separately, TMZ received a series of communications from a person claiming to know who the kidnapper is; that individual has demanded a $100,000 cryptocurrency payment.

Authorities have said Guthrie, the mother of NBC host Savannah Guthrie, likely was targeted before she was taken from her residence. She was last seen while being dropped off at home Jan. 31 by a family member.

Officials have not confirmed whether they believe more than one person was involved in the abduction or whether the person in the widely seen home surveillance video is alive.

They’ve also not shared a comment on whether the suspect may have acted alone. A motive has yet to be released.

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