FBI Prepares to Return Nancy Guthrie's Home to Family Amid Ongoing Investigation
Federal law enforcement officials are preparing to return Nancy Guthrie's $1 million home to her family after nearly a month of intensive investigation into her disappearance has yielded no concrete answers. Authorities were observed returning to the 84-year-old's property in the Catalina Foothills just outside Tucson, Arizona, on Wednesday, conducting additional searches in areas they had previously examined.
Crime Scene Status Lifted as Investigation Shifts Focus
According to two federal law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation, the recent activity at the Guthrie residence was related to the FBI's efforts to formally return the property to the family. Investigators have determined there is no longer a need to maintain the home as a sealed crime scene or restrict family access, even as the investigation into Nancy's abduction continues.
Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, was last seen at her home on January 31 after returning from dinner with her eldest daughter, Annie, and son-in-law Tommaso Cioni. Authorities believe she was kidnapped or taken against her will, with evidence including drops of her blood found on the front porch and disturbing footage from her Nest doorbell camera.
Surveillance Footage Reveals Suspicious Activity
The recovered footage shows an unidentified masked suspect standing at Nancy's front door in the early hours of February 1. Investigators now believe the suspect may have visited the house prior to the abduction, as one image shows the individual without the backpack and gun holster visible in later footage.
While the images are not timestamped, and authorities caution that any suggestion they were taken on different days remains speculative, law enforcement sources indicate the suspect may have approached the door initially, noticed the camera, been scared off, and returned later to tamper with the device and obscure the lens with branches.
"If it is the same person, it could indicate that the person was there surveilling the place before the abduction happened," explained Jason Peck, a former FBI agent. "The fact that there was preparation and planning makes this more sophisticated criminal activity than someone just showing up."
Expanded Timeline and Reward Increase
This potential timeline gap may explain why investigators have asked neighbors to review their home security systems for suspicious people and vehicles dating back to January 1, a full month before the abduction. The Pima County Sheriff's Department has also stated they are not ruling out the possibility that more than one person may be involved in the crime.
In a significant development, Savannah Guthrie has increased the reward for information leading to her mother's recovery to $1 million. In a tearful video posted to her Instagram account, the Today host pleaded for information, saying, "We need to know where she is, we need her to come home."
She described the family's emotional state, with her sister Annie characterizing their ongoing search as "blowing on the embers of hope." Savannah acknowledged the possibility that Nancy may have already died but emphasized the family's need for closure regardless of the outcome.
Investigation Challenges and Community Response
The FBI received approximately 750 calls within just 12 hours of Savannah Guthrie posting her emotional appeal. The investigation now involves several hundred professionals who have received more than 23,000 tips. Meanwhile, some local residents have initiated their own searches in the dense desert terrain near Nancy's home, prompting the Pima County Sheriff's Department to request that volunteers allow professionals to conduct the official investigation.
As the investigation continues, Sheriff Chris Nanos has faced criticism for what some describe as "locking down" the investigation from federal authorities. Multiple sources indicate that only three decision-makers are leading the department's investigation: Sheriff Nanos, Chief Jesus Lopez, and Captain Juan Carlos Navarro.
The tribute outside Nancy Guthrie's home continues to grow, with community members leaving flowers, yellow ribbons, crosses, prayers, and symbols representing patron saints for older adults and those in desperate situations.
