Search intensifies for Savannah Guthrie’s mother as masked-video clue and Rio Rico warrant reshape case

The investigation into the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, the mother of television anchor Savannah Guthrie, expanded across southern Arizona on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026 (ET), after authorities executed a search warrant in Rio Rico near the U.S.–Mexico border and released newly recovered video showing a masked, armed figure at her front door. Officials say Nancy Guthrie was taken against her will and emphasize she needs daily medication, adding urgency as the case moves deeper into its second week.

What authorities say happened at the home

Investigators say Nancy Guthrie vanished from her Tucson-area residence in the early hours of Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026 (ET). Evidence at the scene has been described as consistent with an abduction, including blood on or near the entry area that authorities say was confirmed to belong to her.

Officials have not publicly confirmed a full minute-by-minute timeline, but they have said the situation escalated quickly overnight and that her safety remains the priority.

Newly recovered video of a masked figure

A major development has been the release of video and images showing a person wearing a mask and gloves at the home’s front door around the time investigators believe Nancy Guthrie was taken. The figure appears armed and is seen tampering with the doorbell camera, an action investigators view as intentional.

Authorities have highlighted the footage because it gives the public something specific to look for: clothing, build, movement, and any patterns that might match neighborhood camera clips, parked vehicles, or late-night sightings. Officials have encouraged residents and businesses to review any video from the overnight window around Feb. 1, 2026 (ET), especially footage capturing approaching vehicles, pedestrians, or unusual stops.

Rio Rico search warrant and detention ends without charges

Late Tuesday into early Wednesday, authorities executed a court-authorized search at a location in Rio Rico, a community in southern Arizona roughly 60 miles south of Tucson and close to the border. The action followed a detention during a traffic stop south of Tucson, with the individual questioned in connection with the case.

By Wednesday morning, the man who spoke publicly about being detained said he had been released without charges. Investigators have not announced an arrest and have not publicly detailed what was recovered, if anything, from the search. The sequence suggests investigators are rapidly running down leads—escalating to warrants when tips or evidence point to a location, then recalibrating if information does not support charges.

Ransom notes and the cryptocurrency trail

Authorities have acknowledged ransom-related communications tied to the case, including demands for a multi-million-dollar payment in cryptocurrency and deadlines. Officials have said there has been no publicly confirmed proof that Nancy Guthrie is alive, and they have cautioned that details about any exchanges remain sensitive.

Local coverage also noted new activity observed in the cryptocurrency wallet referenced in the ransom communications, with at least one transaction reported around 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 (converted from Arizona local time). Authorities have not publicly confirmed who initiated the transaction or what it represents, and investigators have not indicated that the activity reflects a verified contact with the abductors.

Family appeals and public tips: what could help now

Savannah Guthrie and family members have continued public appeals for Nancy’s safe return, emphasizing her medical needs and asking anyone with information to come forward. Investigators have offered a reward for information that leads to her recovery or the arrest of those responsible.

What typically helps in cases like this is concrete, time-stamped detail. Authorities are especially interested in:

• Video showing vehicles slowing, stopping, or turning around near the home overnight

• A person matching the masked figure’s clothing or build on nearby cameras

• Unusual rideshare, delivery, or service-vehicle activity in the early-morning hours

• Tips that include exact locations, times, and directions of travel

What to watch next

The next phase of this case will likely hinge on whether the masked-figure footage can be linked to an identifiable person, vehicle, or route. Additional warrants, clearer vehicle descriptions, or targeted public requests for footage from specific corridors would signal investigators are narrowing in on a working theory. Conversely, broader appeals across more communities may indicate the search area is still expanding.

As of Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026 (ET), officials have not announced a suspect in custody and have not provided a confirmed update on Nancy Guthrie’s condition or location.

Sources consulted: Reuters; The Guardian; People; Los Angeles Times