Authorities are reportedly on the verge of returning the Tucson home of Nancy Guthrie to her family, marking a significant development in the ongoing investigation into her mysterious disappearance. Sources shared with NBC News on Wednesday indicate that law enforcement no longer considers the residence a crime scene, allowing the family to regain access.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona confirmed that federal prosecutors visited the property on Wednesday to assist the FBI with what has been described as a “routine legal process.” Federal agents were seen at the home for several hours, with multiple vehicles frequently entering and exiting the driveway throughout the afternoon.
Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show anchor Savannah Guthrie, vanished from her home in the early hours of February 1, prompting investigators to treat the case as a potential abduction. Just days before her disappearance, a neighbor reported seeing a suspicious man in the vicinity, raising concerns about her safety.
Drone footage captured by the Fox Flight Team on Wednesday revealed agents actively moving around the property and backyard, heightening public interest in the case. Savannah Guthrie took to Instagram on Tuesday to announce a staggering family reward of up to $1 million for information that could lead to her mother’s safe return. Additionally, she revealed that the family would be donating $500,000 to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in hopes of aiding similar cases.
Since the reward was announced, the FBI has reportedly received over 750 tips, indicating a surge of public interest and concern. However, authorities have yet to identify any suspects or persons of interest in the case. Previous reports have suggested that investigators are considering the possibility of multiple individuals being involved in Nancy’s disappearance.
Surveillance footage from her doorbell camera captured a masked figure tampering with the device on her doorstep, and a separate image released by the FBI shows a man dressed similarly, fueling speculation about the potential involvement of more than one person. Despite the collection of DNA evidence, investigators have not yet made any significant breakthroughs.
Sources have indicated that DNA samples retrieved from inside Nancy’s home primarily matched individuals who had legitimate reasons to be there, while one unknown sample only offered a partial profile that could not be entered into the FBI’s CODIS database. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed that the DNA evidence has not yet led to a suspect in the ongoing investigation.
As the search for answers continues, the community remains hopeful for a resolution. What will the next steps reveal in this perplexing case?
