Sheriff probing Nancy Guthrie case claims to know motive behind abduction as search continues

TUCSON, ARIZONA: The Arizona sheriff investigating the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has reportedly stated that authorities believe they know why the elderly woman was taken. Savannah Guthrie's mother went missing from her Arizona home on February 1, after last being seen on January 31.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos spoke with NBC News in an interview on Thursday, March 12, saying, “We believe we know why [the kidnapper] did this and we believe that it was targeted, but we’re not 100 per cent sure of that.”

Sheriff says authorities have 'some strong beliefs' in Nancy's case

“So it’d be silly to tell people, ‘Don’t worry about it. You’re not his target.’ You could be. Don't think for a minute that because it happened to the Guthrie family, you’re safe. No. Keep your wits about you,” Sheriff Chris Nanos said.

Without elaborating much on a possible motive, Nanos stated, “I think it’s come out from day one. I think day one, we had some strong beliefs about what happened and those beliefs haven’t diminished.

“I’m not going to get into those theories. We have our beliefs. Everybody else has theirs,” the officer added as he also said that they’re positive that the “mixed” DNA found at Nancy’s home will surely help them find “somebody” related to the case.

FBI increases reward to $100,000 for information

The statement from Nanos came as the probe into Nancy’s case has not led to something fruitful despite weeks of efforts. Amid this, the FBI Phoenix has increased “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.”

In a statement, the agency also mentioned the surveillance footage taken from Nancy’s home that captured an unidentified man. “The suspect is described as a male, approximately 5’9” - 5’10” tall, with an average build. In the video, he is wearing a black, 25-liter ‘Ozark Trail Hiker Pack’ backpack,” it noted.

Concluding the post, the FBI added, “We hope this updated description will help concentrate the public tips we are receiving. Since February 1, 2026, the FBI has collected over 13,000 tips from the public related to this case. Every tip is reviewed for credibility, relevance, and information that can be acted upon by law enforcement.”

Savannah Guthrie's family's aching for Nancy

Besides, Nancy’s 54-year-old journalist daughter Savannah has once again released a video statement via Instagram, where she said her family has been “fearing for [Nancy] and aching for her and most of all just missing her.”

In the post’s caption, a note was added that read, “Family reward of up to $1 million will be paid only for recovery of Nancy Guthrie, consistent with FBI criteria for payment of its reward in this case: https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/kidnap/nancy-guthrie.”