In a definitive statement addressing ongoing speculation, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has publicly cleared the entire family of television host Savannah Guthrie as suspects in the disappearance of her mother, Nancy Guthrie. The sheriff emphasized that family members were ruled out as persons of interest within the first few days following Nancy's abduction on January 31, 2026.
Family Declared Victims, Not Suspects
Sheriff Nanos delivered a firm message to media outlets during an interview with KOLD 13 News, stating unequivocally that not a single member of the Guthrie family is under investigation. "I am telling everyone, effective today, you guys need to knock it off, quit," Nanos declared. "People are hurting. They are victims. I am saying they are clear. We have cleared them."
The sheriff reinforced this position in an official statement shared on the social media platform X, describing the family as cooperative and gracious throughout the investigation. "To suggest otherwise is not only wrong, it is cruel," Nanos wrote, imploring journalists to report with greater compassion and professionalism.
Investigation Focuses on Walmart Purchases
While no suspects have been publicly named, investigators have identified crucial evidence linking the abduction to purchases from Walmart. Sheriff Nanos revealed to CBS News that the clothing and face mask worn by the suspect in doorbell camera footage were likely bought at the retail chain.
Law enforcement has spent several days reviewing surveillance footage from local Walmart stores and working to identify specific brands of the items. Particularly significant is the suspect's backpack, identified as a black Ozark Trail Hiker model that was sold exclusively at Walmart. This item is considered one of the most promising leads in the ongoing investigation.
Additionally, the FBI confirmed that DNA recovered from a glove found near Nancy Guthrie's Tucson home matched the glove worn by the masked individual captured on video outside her residence the night she vanished.
Savannah Guthrie's Continued Pleas
Nancy Guthrie's daughter, Today show host Savannah Guthrie, continues to publicly appeal for her mother's safe return. In a recent Instagram video posted on Sunday, Guthrie directly addressed her mother's captors: "It's never too late to do the right thing."
Her emotional caption contained a simple, powerful message: "Bring her home." This latest appeal follows previous heartbreaking videos shared by the television personality, including footage of her younger mother with the caption "WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP."
The FBI has increased the reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie's location to $100,000, underscoring the urgency of the investigation. Despite the family's clearance as suspects, the search continues for the individual responsible for the abduction, with law enforcement pursuing all available leads in this troubling case.
