Nancy Guthrie Update Today: Sheriff Says Investigators Are Getting Closer as Savannah Guthrie Lays Flowers at Mom's Home on Day 31

Day 31 in the search for Nancy Guthrie has brought a rare moment of cautious optimism from law enforcement — and a heartbreaking public vigil from her daughter. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told reporters Monday, March 2, 2026 ET that he believes investigators are "definitely closer" to solving the case, as Savannah Guthrie and her siblings visited their mother's Tucson-area home to lay flowers at a growing community memorial.

Nancy Guthrie Update Today: Sheriff Says Case Will Be Solved

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said in an interview Monday that investigators are "definitely closer" to solving the disappearance. "I've said this from the beginning: I have full faith, full confidence, they're going to solve this," he told reporters, adding that there have been thousands of leads since Nancy Guthrie, 84, the mother of Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, disappeared.

Nanos also stated his personal belief that Nancy Guthrie is still alive, saying, "I personally believe Nancy Guthrie is alive. That's my personal opinion, but that's because I put faith in. That's just who I am."

Federal prosecutors have become involved in the case, a development a former FBI agent described as significant — signaling potential federal charges and renewed investigative momentum. The case has now been formally handed to a joint task force of homicide detectives and FBI agents.

What Happened to Nancy Guthrie: A Timeline of Her Disappearance

Nancy Guthrie was reported missing on February 1, 2026, after she did not show up to a virtual church service as expected. She was last seen on the evening of January 31, 2026.

At 5:32 p.m. on January 31, Nancy traveled to her local family's home for dinner and to play games. She used an Uber driver to get there, and authorities tracked him down and spoke with him. At 9:48 p.m., she was dropped off at her home, confirmed by garage door surveillance footage.

The FBI had previously released video from Nancy's porch showing a masked, armed man with a backpack appearing to tamper with a doorbell camera the morning she disappeared. Authorities have described the man as a suspect, but he has not been publicly identified. The man is described as approximately 5'9" to 5'10" of average build, wearing a black 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack exclusive to Walmart.

Ring Camera Lead and DNA Evidence: Where the Investigation Stands

Investigators are reviewing a Ring camera video taken on a back road out of Nancy's neighborhood, approximately 2.5 miles away. One vehicle in the footage was recorded at around 2:36 a.m. on February 1 — roughly eight minutes after Nancy's pacemaker last synced with her iPhone. Retired Pima County Search and Rescue Commander Bob Krygier called it "the best lead probably since day one."

DNA evidence found at the property is still being analyzed. A glove found approximately two miles from Nancy Guthrie's residence was submitted to the CODIS database and produced no matches. The DNA found at the property itself requires further testing. Blood found on the porch was confirmed to belong to Nancy Guthrie.

Savannah Guthrie Lays Flowers, Leaves Handwritten Note for Her Mother

Savannah Guthrie, her sister Annie, and brother-in-law Tommaso Cioni were seen walking arm-in-arm to lay flowers at a memorial outside Nancy's home. As they surveyed the many gifts and signs left by the community, the group broke down in tears and embraced. They left a handwritten note for their mother that read: "Momma, we miss you so much! Our hearts are broken. We are standing on ash, on scored earth! But Mom, though we are surrounded by so much darkness and uncertainty, our love burns bright."

Savannah then took to Instagram after the visit, writing: "We feel the love and prayers from our neighbors, from the Tucson community and from around the country. Please don't stop praying and hoping with us. Bring her home." The color yellow has become the symbol of hope in the case, with Today show staff wearing yellow ribbons on air.

The $1 Million Reward and Ransom Notes Still Unresolved

The Guthrie family is offering a $1 million reward for information leading to Nancy's recovery. Multiple media outlets reported receiving ransom notes in connection with the disappearance, and efforts are underway to determine whether they were sent by individuals holding Guthrie. The family confirmed they had received communications and said they were "ready to talk," asking for proof of life.

Savannah Guthrie confirmed the reward can be paid in cash and that tips can be submitted anonymously. She pleaded publicly: "Please — be the one that brings her home."

Two Detained Suspects Speak Out, Federal Charges Possible

Two individuals who were briefly detained in connection with the Nancy Guthrie investigation spoke out for the first time Monday. Luke Daley and his mother, Mary Daley, sat down for an exclusive interview with a local Arizona television outlet to address ongoing online suspicion directed at them following their brief detainment. Their law firm has stated neither has any connection to the kidnapping.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department announced it is scaling back non-specialist staffing on the case, with only detectives directly assigned to the investigation continuing to work it unless a new lead triggers another surge. The FBI reportedly fears the case could become a cold case — making today's sheriff's statement that investigators are "closer" all the more significant. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Pima County Sheriff's Department or the FBI's Phoenix office immediately.