Investigators Zero in on Key Date in Nancy Guthrie Case: ‘Something Occurred on Jan. 11’

Pima County sheriff Chris Nanos says newly uncovered information suggests activity connected to the woman’s disappearance may have taken place on that date.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos exits the press room past a missing persons poster after giving an update on the investigation after the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of TV host Savannah Guthrie, in Tucson, Ariz., on Feb. 5, 2026. Rebecca Noble/Reuters

Nearly two months since the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, authorities are now turning their focus to a specific date in hopes of aiding the investigation.

In a recent interview with local Tucson, Arizona, station KOLD, Chris Nanos, the sheriff leading the investigation, identified Jan. 11 as a key point of interest.

“We do believe that something occurred on Jan. 11 and that’s with the FBI’s analysis of the equipment and digital stuff they’ve done,” Nanos told KOLD on March 23.

Without disclosing exactly what evidence led investigators to zero in on that specific date, Nanos said law enforcement and federal agencies have uncovered information suggesting activity connected to the case may have taken place at that time.

Nancy was last seen on the evening of Jan. 31 at her home in Tucson, Arizona, before she was reported missing the following day after she failed to show up to church services.

On Feb. 10, the FBI released images and footage of a suspect outside of Nancy’s home, with investigators believing an image connected to the case may have been captured on Jan. 11. However, Nanos clarified that without timestamps, the exact date of the footage cannot be confirmed.

“There’s nothing there, critical that we can say positively say that this individual, with or without the backpack, was at that house, on Jan. 11,” he said.

Despite speculation of when the footage or images were taken, Nanos said the suspect removing the doorbell camera indicates it occurred on the night of the suspected abduction.

Authorities believe Nancy was taken against her will, citing signs of forced entry, damaged security cameras, and DNA evidence found on her porch.

“We have so much in front of us. And we believe we have good evidence in front of us,” Nanos added. “Will that dry up? Could I be wrong? Absolutely. Anything is possible, but we’re not giving up.”

His comments come amid a recent Instagram statement made by Savannah and the Guthrie family, pointing to the date of Jan. 11 and requesting further help from the public in uncovering crucial information that may pose significance in the investigation.

“We desperately ask this community for renewed attention to our mom’s case,” the Instagram post read. “Please consult camera footage, journal notes, text messages, observations, or conversations that, in retrospect, may hold significance. No detail is too small. It may be the key.

“We want to celebrate her beautiful and courageous life, but we cannot do that until she is brought to a final place of rest,” the statement added. “Thank you for continuing to pray without ceasing.”

On Feb. 24, Savannah and her siblings announced a $1 million reward for information leading to the recovery of their mother. The FBI also increased their reward to $100,000.