The search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, entered its 22nd day on Feb. 22 as volunteer groups joined law enforcement efforts near her home in the Catalina Foothills outside Tucson, Arizona. While investigators continue reviewing complex DNA evidence and surveillance footage, community members and international search organizations have begun conducting informal searches in the surrounding area.
Volunteers Fan Out Near Guthrie’s Home
Early Saturday morning, volunteers gathered in a parking lot near Orange Grove Road before spreading out to search for potential clues. During the effort, a backpack was recovered and handed over to deputies for further examination.
Among the volunteers was Lupita Tello, a Tucson resident affiliated with Madres Buscadoras de Sonora, a Mexican nonprofit organization dedicated to locating missing persons. The group, which has searched extensively in Mexico, said this marks its first organized effort in the United States.
Tello demonstrated the metal probing tool her group uses during searches.
“If it smells bad like something decomposed, that’s where we start,” Tello said while explaining the method to reporters.
According to Tello, the group learned about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance through a journalist and was asked to assist by creating flyers and helping search. She said the Pima County Sheriff’s Department informed them that permission from homeowners would be required to search private property but no formal permit was necessary.
Law Enforcement Urges Coordination as Investigation Continues
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that volunteer groups have inquired about joining search efforts but emphasized the importance of coordinating through official channels.
Angelica Carrillo, a spokesperson for the department, said volunteers were asked to provide investigators the space needed to conduct their work and to contact authorities for approved volunteer opportunities.
Investigators have not released new updates as of Feb. 22. DNA evidence collected from Guthrie’s property was described as “mixed,” meaning it came from more than one person, complicating efforts to run it through national databases, Sheriff Chris Nanos said in a recent interview.
The FBI is also analyzing DNA found on a glove discovered about two miles from the residence. Results have not yet been made public.
Masked Intruder Captured on Video Remains Key Focus
A major development in the case occurred Feb. 10 when investigators recovered footage from a doorbell camera showing a masked individual at Guthrie’s home the night she disappeared on Jan. 31. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that more than one person may be involved.
The FBI released images of the backpack worn by the individual, described as a black 25-liter “Ozark Trail Hiker Pack.” The suspect is described as a male approximately 5’9” to 5’10” tall with an average build.
Investigators are also working to identify the clothing worn by the individual in the footage, including pants, shoes and outerwear. Authorities have reportedly been coordinating with Walmart to determine whether the backpack was recently purchased and, if so, by whom.
Officials continue to urge the public to submit actionable tips only and avoid flooding tip lines with unrelated messages.
Media Presence Shifts as Neighborhood Seeks Privacy
In the early days of the investigation, the narrow street outside Guthrie’s one-story brick home was crowded with news crews from across the country. Large SUVs and satellite trucks lined the roadway, at times limiting access for residents and emergency services.
As of Feb. 22, law enforcement had prohibited parking in the immediate area and rerouted traffic to ease congestion. A sign posted nearby read: “Dear media, this neighborhood needs space to process, heal and gather in.”
Despite the scaled-back media presence, visitors from other Arizona cities have continued to stop by the home.
What Happens Next
Several hundred law enforcement personnel remain assigned to the case, though staffing levels shift based on investigative leads. Carrillo said the investigation will remain active until Guthrie is found or all leads are exhausted.
No new news conferences are scheduled for the week of Feb. 23, and Sheriff Nanos is not expected to make additional media appearances in the immediate future.
Authorities continue reviewing thousands of tips and surveillance videos while awaiting lab results tied to critical DNA evidence. As the investigation moves forward, both law enforcement and volunteer groups say they remain committed to finding answers in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.
