Nationwide Manhunt Intensifies: 18,000 Tips Flood In as Search for Nancy Guthrie Enters Day 11

The disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has gripped the nation as authorities reveal an overwhelming response from the public. Pima County Sheriff’s Department officials announced Wednesday that investigators have received a staggering 18,000 tips since Nancy was reported missing on February 1, with up to 4,000 pouring in over the past 24 hours alone following the release of chilling doorbell camera footage.

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Nancy Guthrie abduction: One object that could shine light on what happened – masslive.com

Nancy Guthrie, a longtime Tucson resident known for her independence and community involvement, was last seen on the evening of January 31 at her home in the affluent Catalina Foothills neighborhood, north of Tucson. Family members dropped her off after dinner, but she failed to appear at church the next day, prompting a welfare check. Authorities now believe she was abducted from her residence sometime overnight, describing the case as a targeted kidnapping.

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Savannah Guthrie’s 84-Year-Old Mother Nancy Reported Missing in Arizona

In a joint statement, the Pima County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI expressed gratitude for the flood of tips submitted via hotlines, including 1-800-CALL-FBI and the local non-emergency line. “We thank the media and the public for the thousands of tips submitted through the various tip lines,” the statement read. Hundreds of detectives and agents are assigned to the case, with officials warning of “increased law enforcement activity throughout Pima County as the investigation expands.” A reward of up to $50,000 is offered for information leading to her safe return.

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Pima County Sheriff’s Press Conference

The breakthrough moment came Tuesday when the FBI released grainy surveillance images and video from Nancy’s Nest doorbell camera. The footage shows a masked, armed individual approaching the front door in the early morning hours, appearing to tamper with the camera by covering the lens with vegetation. The suspect is seen wearing gloves, a full-face mask, a backpack, and a visible gun holster, holding what looks like a flashlight. Experts describe the figure as unsophisticated rather than a professional criminal, noting awkward movements and visible hesitation.

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Investigators are scrutinizing every frame for clues, including the weapon’s details and clothing characteristics. The release of this evidence triggered a surge in tips, but it also led to a dramatic development: the brief detention of a man identified as Carlos Palazuelos, a local delivery driver. Sources say Palazuelos was already on law enforcement’s radar before the video’s public release, identified through electronic tools like cell phone data and traffic records. He was pulled over during a traffic stop in Rio Rico, about 60 miles south of Tucson, questioned for hours, and his home searched under a court-authorized warrant. Palazuelos was released without charges Wednesday morning and maintains his innocence, telling reporters the experience was “terrifying” and denying any knowledge of the case.

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See investigators search Nancy Guthrie’s house outside Tucson

FBI agents conducted an extensive search of roadways and desert terrain around the Catalina Foothills on Wednesday, with drones and ground teams scouring the rugged landscape. Nancy’s home, a single-story brick residence with a pool and desert landscaping, remains a focal point, cordoned off as forensic teams continue processing evidence, including blood found on the front porch (DNA results pending).

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A drone view of Nancy Guthrie’s house after the disappearance of the 84-year-old mother of U.S. journalist and television host Savannah Guthrie, who went missing from her home in Tucson | Reuters

Shocking Twist Emerges In a stunning development sources close to the investigation have shared exclusively with The Arizona Daily Chronicle, preliminary analysis of Nancy’s Apple Watch data—recovered from her home—shows irregular heart rate spikes and movement patterns consistent with a struggle in the early hours of February 1. Retired FBI agents suggest the device could hold geolocation pings or even emergency alerts that were never transmitted, potentially pinpointing the exact moment of abduction or the direction the suspect fled. More alarmingly, encrypted messages recovered from a burner phone found near the property reference a “high-profile target” and mention Savannah Guthrie by name, hinting at a possible ransom motive tied to her celebrity status. Authorities have not confirmed these details, but if verified, this could shift the case from random crime to a calculated operation exploiting family connections. Three unverified ransom notes have reportedly surfaced online, demanding payment in cryptocurrency, though officials urge caution against hoaxes amid the tip overload.

As the search enters its second week, the community remains on edge. Family members, including Savannah Guthrie, have made emotional public appeals, pleading for Nancy’s safe return. “She’s sharp, loving, and doesn’t deserve this,” Savannah said in a statement. Anyone with information is urged to contact authorities immediately.