'Exhausted' Arizona sheriff says Nancy Guthrie search could take 'years' but 'we won’t quit'

TUSCAN, ARIZONA: The search for Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC’s Savannah Guthrie, continues to challenge investigators, with Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos describing the process as “exhausting.” The 84-year-old vanished two weeks ago from her Tucson home, and despite several leads, authorities have yet to locate her.

Sheriff Nanos emphasized that the investigation could take years but assured the public that his team will not give up. “Maybe it’s an hour from now. Maybe it’s weeks or months or years from now. But we won’t quit. We’re going to find Nancy. We’re going to find this guy,” Nanos told The New York Times on February 13.

Sheriff describes emotional toll of ongoing search Subhead 

For 14 consecutive days, search efforts have met dead ends, leaving both authorities and the Guthrie family frustrated. Even DNA samples sent to Florida yielded no matches. Sheriff Nanos said the relentless cycle of leads that fail to materialize has taken a heavy toll.

“This has to be it, the evidence, everything’s there,” Nanos said. “Then you talk to people, you learn, you do your search, and you think, ‘Maybe not.’ It’s exhausting, these ups and downs. But we will keep moving forward.”

Investigators briefly detained delivery driver Carlos Palazuelos on February 10, hoping he could provide a lead, but he denied any knowledge of Nancy Guthrie and was released shortly afterward.

Authorities investigate unidentified DNA in ongoing search 

A new development came Friday when authorities reported that DNA recovered from Nancy Guthrie’s home did not match anyone considered to be in “close contact” with her. Officials have not disclosed the precise location of the sample but said deputies executed a search warrant about two miles from Guthrie’s residence following a tip.

One individual was questioned and released, while FBI agents inspected a Range Rover near a local restaurant. Authorities are continuing to search for the masked intruder reportedly seen the night Nancy disappeared. The unidentified DNA remains a critical lead, keeping investigators focused on finding the missing 84-year-old.

The investigation continues, with Sheriff Nanos vowing to maintain the search despite the emotional and procedural challenges.