Nancy Guthrie Update Today: Day 41 — Sheriff Says Suspect Could Strike Again, Targeted Attack Confirmed, Facebook Hack Surfaces
Day 41 in the search for Nancy Guthrie arrived Friday, March 13, 2026 with the Pima County Sheriff appearing live on the Today show, a chilling warning that the kidnapper could strike again, a key vehicle returned to the family, and a newly surfaced Facebook hacking post from 2021 that is reshaping theories about how the abduction was planned.
Sheriff Nanos on TODAY Show This Morning: "Don't Think You're Safe"
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos appeared on the Today show Friday morning with NBC News correspondent Liz Kreutz. When asked whether the suspect could strike again, Nanos said "Absolutely. We believe we know why he did this, and we believe that it was targeted, but we're not 100% sure of that, so it'd be silly to tell people, 'Yeah, don't worry about it. You're not his target.'"
Nanos expanded his public warning, telling viewers not to think for a moment that because it happened to the Guthrie family they are safe, and urging everyone to keep their wits about them. It is the most direct public safety warning issued since the abduction 41 days ago.
Attack Was "Targeted" — Sheriff Confirms Theory of Motive
Sheriff Nanos described the case as "targeted" in interviews Thursday and Friday, expressing confidence that detectives are getting closer to identifying those responsible. He stated the Pima County Sheriff's Office has a lot of intel under review and that the case is far from cold.
A Violent Crimes Task Force made up of FBI agents and Pima County Sheriff's Department officers has been formed solely around the Nancy Guthrie investigation. Agents wearing shirts reading "Violent Crimes Task Force" were seen going door-to-door questioning neighbors as recently as March 6. Retired FBI Special Agent Maureen O'Connell read the task force's focused questioning as a meaningful signal that evidence is now leading investigators in a specific direction.
Nancy Guthrie Was Hacked on Facebook — Twice — Before Disappearance
A Facebook post from Nancy Guthrie's personal account dated August 26, 2021 has resurfaced, in which she disclosed she had been hacked for a second time on Facebook Messenger, writing: "This is the second time I've been hacked in FB MESSENGER. HOW DO I FIX IT?"
Before her disappearance, Nancy appeared to be an active Facebook user, regularly posting videos of her grandchildren, photos of her three children Savannah, Cameron, and Annie, and updates about her baking. Investigators are now examining whether the hacking incidents years before her disappearance are connected to the level of knowledge the kidnapper appears to have had about her home, her daily routine, and her vulnerabilities.
Fake FBI Agents Visited Neighbor Days After Abduction
A neighbor became alarmed after two people claiming to be FBI agents spent four hours at her home taking fingerprints and DNA swabs in the days immediately after Nancy went missing. She called 911 and real FBI agents arrived to investigate — but ultimately determined the two original agents were legitimate, calling it a case of poor coordination that wasted four hours and left the neighbor terrified.
Key Vehicle Returned to Family, Cadaver Dogs Remain Paused
Investigators returned a key vehicle to the Guthrie family after completing their review. The vehicle had been held as part of the evidence-gathering phase of the investigation. Cadaver dog searches remain paused, with Sheriff Nanos confirming they are available if needed but that strategy continues to evolve as leads are sorted and new lines of inquiry pursued.
Savannah Guthrie Statement and $1.2 Million Reward
Savannah Guthrie has not yet returned to her regular on-air role at the Today show. In a previous emotional Instagram video, she said the family was still blowing on the embers of hope while acknowledging Nancy may no longer be alive, saying: "We also know that she may be lost. She may already be gone. She may have already gone home to the Lord that she loves."
The reward sits at $1.2 million total — $1 million from the Guthrie family and $200,000 from the FBI, including a $100,000 anonymous donation. Nancy Guthrie remains missing. No arrest has been announced. The tip line remains open at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
