Nancy Guthrie case in cold storage? Ex-FBI agent breaks silence as investigation hits seven-month mark

The investigation into the Nancy Guthrie case has crossed the seven-month mark, and there are still no significant developments as search efforts led by the Pima County Sheriff's Office, in coordination with the FBI, continue. Nancy, the 84-year-old mother of NBC journalist Savannah Guthrie, vanished from her home in Catalina Foothills in the early hours of February 1, 2026.

No suspect has been named in the case despite intense investigation efforts, ransom notes, and DNA samples. Nancy was last seen at her home and was reported missing after she failed to show up to watch a church service with friends on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

Doorbell camera video footage released following her disappearance apparently showed a masked suspect in front of her home that same day. In July, authorities released two notes that could have come from Nancy’s abductor. There was a noticeable rise in the number of tips after the notes were released, but investigators have still not named any suspects as of the time of filing this report.

Has the Nancy Guthrie case gone cold?

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has reportedly said that there is nothing new to share on the progress of the investigation. However, retired FBI agent Scott Augenbaum told local Tucson news station KOLD that it does not mean the case has gone cold.

“This is by no means a cold case. A cold case is something that has been closed, it’s been put away… So in my opinion, this case is not closed at all. It’s still being held very tightly guarded by law enforcement, which I would expect at this point in time,” Augenbaum told news station KOLD.

Sheriff Chris Nanos has reiterated that the case is active and ongoing. Augenbaum explained that investigations can range from cases with no leads to cases where law enforcement has an idea of who is responsible, but must build a solid case against that person first.

“There were cases where we didn’t really have any leads or anything like that and we just played that close. There were situations where we kind of had a really amazing idea. We knew who did it, but we had to build the case against that person. So it could be anywhere between those two things and somewhere in the middle,” Augenbaum said, as quoted by local Tucson news station KOLD.

Why hasn’t PCSD held a news conference?

The investigation, which began in February 2026, has been ongoing. While multiple developments have emerged, Sheriff Nanos and the FBI have not addressed any news conferences. The sheriff’s department stated that it will not hold a news conference until there is something major to share.

Augenbaum noted that this approach is not unusual. “When I was with the FBI, you know, we didn’t tell anyone until we had a bad guy in handcuffs. We weren’t giving regular updates, and that drives a lot of people crazy,” Augenbaum said.

In its latest statement, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said: “The Pima County Sheriff’s Department remains fully committed to the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. This is an active and ongoing investigation, and we continue to work closely with our partners at the FBI. DNA and video analyses remain ongoing, supported by laboratories nationwide. Advances in technology are aiding investigative efforts, and tips continue to be received and reviewed.”

“We appreciate those who have come forward and urge anyone with credible, actionable information to contact investigators. Even small details may be significant. Please contact 88-CRIME or the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI. At this time, we do not have any additional information to provide,” the statement added.


What is causing the delay in DNA analysis?


Augenbaum, who noted that he is not a DNA expert, stated based on his experience with past cases that lab analysis like this is complicated and slow. “That’s a balance that people have right now between feeling secure and civil. We went through this when the Patriot Act was enacted after 9-11. People don’t want to trade their liberties for security,” Augenbaum said.