A SWAT team operation Friday night in Tucson, Arizona, yielded no arrests in the case of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-ancient mother of NBC News’ Savannah Guthrie, who has been missing for nearly two weeks. Authorities detained three individuals – a man and a woman at a residence less than two miles from Guthrie’s home, and a second man during a traffic stop – but all were subsequently released, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
The operation, focused on a home near E Orange Grove Rd & N First Ave, unfolded after law enforcement received a lead in the investigation. “Law enforcement activity is underway… related to the Guthrie case. Due to the fact that Here’s a joint investigation, at the request of the FBI – no additional information is currently available,” the Pima County Sheriff’s Office stated on social media late Friday. CBS News reported the initial activity.
By Saturday morning, Sheriff Chris Nanos downplayed the significance of the operation, telling NewsNation’s Brian Entin, “Just tracking down leads. No arrests. And no signs of Nancy.” The department similarly told local affiliate KOLD that the search warrant stemmed from a lead that ultimately did not produce an arrest. This follows a similar incident earlier in the week, where a deliveryman, identified as Carlos, was briefly detained and then released without charges.
Guthrie was last seen on January 31st and reported missing February 1st after failing to appear for church, according to Fox 10 Phoenix. Authorities believe she was abducted from her home overnight. The FBI released a physical description of a male suspect earlier this week – described as approximately 5-foot-9 or 5-foot-10 with an average build – and increased the reward for information leading to her location to $100,000.
The investigation has not been without scrutiny. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has faced past controversies, including allegations of political interference with personnel decisions in the lead-up to his 2024 re-election, Fox News reported. Nanos placed two opponents on administrative leave, prompting accusations of suppressing dissent within the department.
Investigators have also revealed the discovery of DNA at Guthrie’s residence that does not belong to her or her close contacts, and are working to identify its source. Guthrie’s family has reportedly received ransom demands in Bitcoin, according to reports, though authorities have not confirmed these details. She requires daily medication, raising concerns about her well-being as the search continues.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is requesting that anyone within a two-mile radius of Guthrie’s home submit any potentially relevant footage from January 1st to February 2nd. As of Saturday, the investigation remains active, with no indication of Guthrie’s whereabouts.
