Nancy Guthrie Live Updates: Police Detain Person of Interest in Disappearance

The search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, reached a pivotal milestone late Tuesday, February 10, 2026. After ten days of national tension and a series of unmet ransom deadlines, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI confirmed they have a person of interest in custody.

As of early Wednesday, February 11, 2026, authorities are shifting their resources to a rural property near the Arizona-Mexico border, marking the most significant movement in the case since Nancy was reported missing from her Tucson home.

The Detention: What We Know Right Now

Nancy Guthrie Live Updates

On Tuesday night, law enforcement officials apprehended an individual during a traffic stop in Rio Rico, Arizona. This small community, located roughly 60 miles south of Tucson, is now the epicenter of a massive federal operation.

Custody Status: The individual is currently being questioned by detectives and FBI agents. While they have been labeled a "person of interest," no formal charges have been announced.
Search Warrant Executed: Following the traffic stop, the FBI Evidence Response Team and local SWAT units began a court-authorized search of a residence in Rio Rico linked to the detained individual.
Not a Family Member: Confirming earlier speculation, law enforcement sources told TMZ and CNN that the person in custody is not related to Nancy or Savannah Guthrie.

Key Evidence: The "Masked Subject" Footage

The breakthrough follows the FBI’s release of chilling surveillance video recovered from Nancy Guthrie’s front-door camera. Although the camera was ripped from the wall during the abduction.

The recovered footage reveals:

Armed Intruder: A subject wearing a full face mask, gloves, and a backpack. A handgun holster is clearly visible on their hip.
Calculated Sabotage: The individual is seen using desert foliage to obscure the lens before destroying the camera at approximately 3:00 a.m. on February 1.
The Suspect’s Gait: Forensics experts are currently analyzing the subject's movements in the video to determine if they match the person detained in Rio Rico.

Timeline of the Disappearance (Jan 31 – Feb 11)

Date	Incident
Jan 31	Nancy Guthrie has dinner with her daughter; dropped off at home at 9:48 p.m.
Feb 1	Doorbell camera is disconnected at 1:47 a.m. Nancy's pacemaker app loses signal at 2:28 a.m.
Feb 2-5	Police find blood matching Nancy's DNA on her porch. First Bitcoin ransom note surfaces.
Feb 9	Final $6 million ransom deadline passes with no proof of life provided.
Feb 10	FBI releases recovered "backend" video. A person of interest is detained in Rio Rico.
Feb 11	Forensic teams continue searching the border-area property; Nancy remains missing.

The Human Toll: "An Hour of Desperation"

Savannah Guthrie, who has been off the air to assist in the search, shared a heartbreaking update on Instagram shortly after the surveillance photos were made public.

"Someone out there recognizes this person. We believe she is still out there. Bring her home."

The family’s primary concern is Nancy’s fragile health. At 84, she relies on a pacemaker and specific daily medications for a heart condition—supplies that were found left behind in her home. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for any information that leads to her safe recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was detained in the Nancy Guthrie case?

A person of interest was detained in Rio Rico, Arizona, on Feb 10, 2026. Their identity has not yet been released, but they are currently being questioned by the FBI.

Where was Nancy Guthrie last seen?

Nancy was last seen at her home in the Catalina Foothills of Tucson on Jan 31, 2026. Evidence suggests she was abducted between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. the following morning.

Is there still a ransom demand?

While ransom notes demanding $6 million in Bitcoin were sent to media outlets, the FBI has warned that some may be "digital copycats." Authorities have not confirmed any active negotiations.