Has Nancy Guthrie Been Found? FBI issues suspect description as reward doubles
As of Friday, February 13, 2026 (ET), Nancy Guthrie has not been found. The search for the 84-year-old Arizona woman intensified this week after investigators released the first official physical description of a suspect seen in doorbell-camera footage and doubled the reward for information to $100,000.
What investigators revealed
Federal investigators released a description of a man believed to have abducted Guthrie from her Tucson-area home in the middle of the night. The individual is described as between 5-foot-9 and 5-foot-10 with an average build. A forensic review of video led authorities to highlight a distinctive item worn by the suspect: a 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack. The man in the footage wore black gloves and a ski mask and was seen destroying the home’s security camera.
The description marks the first time the person in the video has been officially identified as a suspect in the case, which has drawn intense public attention nationwide. Investigators said the new details emerged from enhanced analysis of the footage and other materials gathered in recent days.
Status of the search
Guthrie was last seen on the evening of Saturday, January 31 (ET), when family members dropped her at home. Members of her church raised the alarm the next day when she did not appear at Sunday services. Authorities believe she was taken against her will and warn she could be in grave health without needed medication. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said Guthrie is not in good physical health, though there are no reported cognitive issues.
Public interest has driven a surge in potential leads. Since February 1 (ET), investigators have received more than 13,000 tips, including roughly 4,000 within 24 hours of releasing the doorbell-camera video earlier this week. The reward for information leading to Guthrie’s recovery now stands at $100,000, up from $50,000.
Evidence collected so far
Search teams have recovered a black glove in the vicinity of Guthrie’s neighborhood, consistent with items visible in the video. Forensic testing is underway to determine whether the glove is connected to the suspect. Investigators continue to examine the doorbell-camera footage frame by frame and are seeking any sightings of the described backpack, gloves, or other distinctive gear in the Tucson area and beyond.
Authorities are also assessing the credibility of communications that surfaced during the investigation, including messages demanding cryptocurrency in exchange for information. Officials have not announced any successful contact with abductors and urge the public to treat unsolicited payment demands with caution.
Detentions and leads under review
Earlier this week, a man was detained during a traffic stop in southern Arizona in connection with the case. His residence in Rio Rico, south of Tucson, was searched before he was released without charges. Investigators emphasized that the inquiry remains wide-ranging and that no single lead has yet produced a breakthrough. Field teams continue to canvass neighborhoods, re-interview witnesses, and cross-reference tips for patterns that could point to the suspect’s movements.
Family appeals and how the public can help
Guthrie’s adult children, including US news anchor Savannah Guthrie, have issued repeated appeals for their mother’s safe return and expressed belief that she is alive. The family indicated a willingness to pay for her release and has asked anyone with knowledge of her whereabouts to come forward.
Investigators urge residents and businesses to review security footage from late January through early February, especially in the Tucson metro area and corridors leading south toward the border. Sightings of a man matching the described height and build, possibly carrying a 25-liter hiking pack and black gloves, should be reported immediately. Officials stress that even small details—vehicle sightings, unusual late-night activity, or discarded clothing—could prove pivotal.
As the search enters a third week, authorities say they remain focused on locating Nancy Guthrie and identifying the individual captured on camera. With thousands of tips in hand, a clearer picture of the critical hours surrounding her disappearance is beginning to take shape, but the central question remains: she has not yet been found.
