TUCSON, Ariz. — The Pima County sheriff said Monday that the Guthrie family has been cleared as possible suspects in the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping, a high-profile Arizona case that has drawn national attention since Savannah Guthrie’s 84-year-old mother vanished from her home area nearly three weeks ago, Feb. 16, 2026. Reuters reported that Sheriff Chris Nanos said all siblings and spouses have been cooperative and should be treated as victims.
The sheriff’s statement marks the clearest public attempt yet to shut down online speculation that had swirled around relatives since investigators confirmed signs of an abduction and began processing the home as a crime scene. While the family has been cleared, investigators have not publicly named a suspect, and the search for Nancy Guthrie continues.
Nancy Guthrie kidnapping: what the sheriff said Monday
Nanos said the Guthries “have been cleared as possible suspects,” underscoring that relatives are not the focus of the investigation. The case remains active, with detectives still working to identify who took Nancy Guthrie and why. CBS News summarized the sheriff’s remarks and noted that the clearance includes spouses.
Authorities have asked the public to keep sending tips, but they have cautioned that not every rumor aligns with what investigators can verify. The sheriff has also emphasized that law enforcement is balancing transparency with protecting the integrity of evidence in the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping investigation.
Nancy Guthrie kidnapping evidence: glove DNA and doorbell video
Investigators say a masked person seen on a doorbell camera is central to the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping timeline. Authorities have also pointed to a glove recovered away from the home that contains DNA and appears to match what the suspect wore in the video, according to CBS News’ earlier reporting on the glove update. Officials have said forensic work is ongoing as they try to identify the DNA profile and connect it to a person.
In addition, authorities have described evidence at the home — including blood traces tied to Nancy Guthrie — as consistent with an abduction rather than a voluntary disappearance, according to ABC News’ published timeline. Investigators have not released full details about injuries or the amount of blood found, citing the open investigation.
Ransom notes and proof-of-life questions
Law enforcement has acknowledged receiving messages described as ransom notes related to the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping, though officials have publicly questioned authenticity and have not confirmed who sent them. Reuters reported that at least two ransom notes were sent to media outlets and that no proof of life or death has been made public. The Los Angeles Times also reported on the sheriff’s move to clear the family while investigators continue evaluating evidence and leads.
Investigators have highlighted Nancy Guthrie’s age and medical needs as a pressing concern, urging anyone with credible information to contact authorities immediately. Officials have said the clock matters in the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case because she relies on daily medication and monitoring.
How this case has unfolded over time
In the earliest days of the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping investigation, authorities moved from a missing-person search to a criminal probe after finding evidence they said suggested she was taken against her will. PBS NewsHour’s early timeline captured how the response escalated as investigators processed the home and expanded search efforts.
Days later, officials said they were evaluating a “new message” connected to the case, while cautioning the public about unverifiable claims. ABC News reported at the time that authorities were inspecting the message for authenticity.
Investigators then released images of a masked person captured near the home, seeking public help identifying the individual. An earlier report on the FBI images described the surveillance release as a significant step in the hunt for leads in the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping investigation.
What happens next
With the family cleared, investigators appear to be narrowing attention to physical evidence and tip vetting — including the glove DNA and the origin of the ransom notes — to identify a suspect and locate Nancy Guthrie. Authorities have not announced an arrest, and the sheriff has said detectives are still working through leads as the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case enters a critical phase.
Anyone with information is urged to contact local law enforcement or the FBI. Investigators have repeatedly asked the public to focus on verified facts and credible tips rather than speculation that can distract from finding Nancy Guthrie.
