Savannah Guthrie and mom Nancy split image

As investigators continue their search for Nancy Guthrie, forensic criminologist Dr. Ron Martinelli shares why it is ‘far from becoming a cold case’

ancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today’s Savannah Guthrie, has been missing for 20 days. She was last seen on the night of January 31, 2026 and was reported missing from her Catalina Foothills home on February 1, 2026.

While internet sleuths claim this is a cold case, forensic criminologist and law enforcement expert Dr. Ron Martinelli tells HELLO!: “This is not [a] TV crime drama, it’s the real deal.”

The “Gum Shoe” method

Dr. Martinelli continues that while this case is “very difficult and frustrating…it is far from becoming a cold case,” – an unsolved criminal investigation that is no longer actively looked into.

A cross hangs from a tree near Nancy Guthrie's residence on February 20, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona. © Getty Images
A cross and yellow ribbons hang from a tree near Nancy Guthrie’s residence

That is not the case with the search for the 84-year-old. The more than 400 FBI agents and sheriff deputies are still working hard to find Nancy Guthrie, and have to be extremely thorough and precise.

Dr. Martinelli calls it: “Gum shoe work.” He explains: “Detectives have to follow up on all leads no matter how slight and methodically investigate the case to develop persons of interest.”

Two days ago, investigators revealed that DNA recovered from gloves found near the scene does not match DNA located inside the residence. And on February 19, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told NBC News that the DNA is a mix.

An open letter to the kidnappers sits in a memorial set up next to the driveway of Nancy Guthrie's residence© Getty Images
An open letter to the kidnappers sits in a memorial near Nancy Guthrie’s residence

Are we close to finding a suspect?

As investigators work diligently to sift through evidence, Dr. Martinelli tells HELLO!: “I am confident that we will eventually identify the kidnap suspects involved.”

When? We don’t know just yet. But Dr. Martinelli explains: “As [the FBI] gets closer to developing a suspect where an arrest can be made, they tend to go dark and you don’t see them up on the podium, making statements or doing press conferences.”

Everything we know about the Nancy Guthrie case

On February 18, the reward for any information that leads to the arrest of Nancy’s kidnapper doubled thanks to an anonymous donation, with the donor adding $100,000 to the FBI’s existing $100,000 pool.

In an aerial view, the home of Nancy Guthrie is seen on February 20, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona.© Getty Images
Nancy Guthrie has been missing since February 1

On the same day, CBS News reported that the FBI has photos and names of people they believe may be the suspect seen on the surveillance video outside Nancy’s front door, which were released on Tuesday, February 10.

Ever since Nancy went missing, Savannah has been laser focused on finding her. In a video shared on Monday, February 16, the Today anchor said: “I wanted to say to whoever has her or knows where she is that it’s never too late. And you’re not lost or alone. And it is never too late to do the right thing. And we are here. And we believe. And we believe in the essential goodness of every human being.”

Savannah Guthrie and her siblings plead for the return of their mom© Instagram
Savannah and her siblings plead for the return of their mom

While Savannah takes this time to be with her family, Studio 1A subtly redesigned their set in tribute to Nancy. During the February 18 installment of the Today Show, Craig Melvin and Hoda Kotb shared that they took inspiration from the public who have been placing yellow flowers near Nancy’s Tucson, Arizona home.

“We got a suggestion from one of our viewers, and we’re doing the same here. We’ve got yellow roses around Studio 1A and we’re all wearing ribbons as we send our love to Savannah and her family,” said Hoda.