The search for Nancy Guthrie, "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie's 84-year-old mother, continued Monday, Feb. 16, more than two weeks after her disappearance. Nancy Guthrie, whose health her family has described as fragile, was allegedly kidnapped earlier this month in a case that has now captured the nation's attention and brought federal law enforcement to Arizona to aid local police in a desperate search for her abductor. Nancy Guthrie was first reported missing Sunday, Feb. 1, and a reward of $100,000 has been offered for information leading to her recovery, double the initial reward of $50,000.
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Investigators have recovered gloves that appear to "match the gloves of the subject in the surveillance video" released last week.
- There are no new press briefings scheduled at this time, authorities said as they investigate.
- The FBI released photos and videos of a suspect in the case.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is addressing internet speculation in his latest statement, shared the afternoon of Feb. 16.
"To be clear, the Guthrie family – to include all siblings and spouses – has been cleared as possible suspects in this case. The family has been nothing but cooperative and gracious and are victims in this case," Nanos said. "To suggest otherwise is not only wrong, it is cruel. The Guthrie family are victims plain and simple. Please, I'm begging you the media to honor your profession and report with some sense of compassion and professionalism." While questions and speculation continue to swirl about Guthrie's disappearance, authorities are setting the record straight about the nature of the incident. Following a previous report that Guthrie's abduction may have been the result of a "burglary gone wrong," the Pima County Sheriff's Department pushed back against the characterization in a statement released Feb. 16. "PCSD has never stated that this was a burglary gone wrong," said spokesperson Brittany Abarr. "Any reports indicating otherwise are inaccurate. This remains a very active investigation." As the search for Guthrie's abductor continues, authorities are giving an update on the suspect's appearance. In surveillance footage previously released by FBI Director Kash Patel, the suspect — described as a "male, approximately 5'9"-5'10" tall, with an average build," — walks up to Guthrie's home, head down, wearing a dark zip-up jacket, light pants, a backpack and what appears to be a weapon in a holster hanging around his waist. During a Feb. 13 appearance on the "Today" show, NBC correspondent Tom Winter said the backpack was a private-label brand exclusively sold to Walmart. If the backpack was purchased recently, Winter said police could possibly subpoena the retailer for a list of people who recently bought it in the greater Tucson area. In a Feb. 16 statement, Pima County Sheriff's Department spokesperson Brittany Abarr said while the suspect's clothing "may have been purchased from Walmart," it is "not exclusively available" to the store. "This remains a possibility only," Abarr added. "The investigation is ongoing, and information may change as new details develop." President Donald Trump told the New York Post in a new interview on Monday that he would seek the death penalty for those responsible for the alleged kidnapping of Guthrie. In a brief phone conversation, the president told the outlet that, if found, he would look to bring the "most severe" federal penalties against those responsible for the apparent abduction. Adding that the kidnappers would face "very, very severe – the most severe" consequences, he said that could include the death penalty.
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