The investigation into the suspected abduction of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie has taken a grim and unsettling turn, with Pima County Sheriff’s deputies and FBI agents spotted searching a septic tank in the backyard of her Catalina Foothills home in Tucson, Arizona, on Sunday, February 8, 2026 — marking day eight of the desperate search for the mother of NBC “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie.

Drone footage captured by local media outlets, including FOX 10 Phoenix and ABC15, shows three investigators opening a manhole cover in the rear of the $1 million property. Officers are seen using a long pole to probe inside what appears to be the septic system, methodically checking the contents below ground level. The search lasted less than an hour before the team departed, with no immediate statements released on whether anything was recovered or what specifically prompted the targeted inspection.

Authorities have not provided an official explanation for the septic tank examination, but former law enforcement officials and experts have offered plausible theories based on standard investigative practices in missing persons and abduction cases. A former SWAT team captain suggested the move could be part of ensuring no evidence was disposed of in the system — items such as clothing, personal effects, documents, or even biological material that perpetrators might have attempted to flush or discard to eliminate traces. Another former official speculated that investigators might be checking for clues flushed down toilets, such as notes, small items, or substances related to the crime scene.

The septic tank search follows a series of intensive follow-up visits to the Guthrie property. Previous efforts uncovered signs of forced entry, blood droplets on the front porch confirmed by DNA to be Nancy’s, a disconnected Ring doorbell camera with no recoverable footage due to an inactive subscription, and a wired device (possibly a camera) removed from the roof after a neighbor’s tip about its unusually clean appearance. A blue Subaru SUV was also towed from the garage for forensic examination. These actions underscore the treatment of the home as a primary crime scene in what remains classified as an abduction.

Nancy was last seen being dropped off at her residence around 9:48 p.m. on January 31, 2026, after a family dinner and game night. Her children reported her missing the following day when she failed to attend church services. The vulnerable senior suffers from mobility issues, a pacemaker, heart conditions, high blood pressure, and requires daily medications, raising urgent concerns about her survival without access to care.

The case has been complicated by a barrage of purported ransom communications sent to media outlets like KGUN 9, KOLD, and TMZ. Demands have escalated to $6 million in Bitcoin, with deadlines extended after initial ones passed without resolution. A family video released by Savannah and her siblings on February 7 declared “we will pay,” while FBI analysts decoded what they believe is a hidden message in one plea. Some notes have been debunked as hoaxes, leading to related arrests, but others continue under verification. No proof-of-life has surfaced, amplifying fears.

Investigators have repeatedly stated there are currently no suspects, persons of interest, or identified vehicles, despite exhaustive searches of the property, surrounding neighborhoods, desert terrain, and aerial sweeps. President Trump commented that authorities possess “strong clues,” with federal resources fully engaged and security heightened at NBC facilities as a precaution.

Community response remains intense. Prayer vigils continue outside the home, where flowers, candles, and messages of support pile up. Neighbors express growing unease in the affluent, secluded area beneath the Santa Catalina mountains, with increased patrols and watch alerts. The $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy’s safe return or arrests persists, with tips channeled through dedicated hotlines.

The septic tank probe injects a darker dimension into an already harrowing mystery. In abduction investigations, such thorough checks of disposal systems are not uncommon when foul play is suspected and physical evidence might have been hidden or destroyed. Experts note that perpetrators sometimes use household plumbing to dispose of incriminating items, particularly in residential settings where quick concealment is possible.

For Savannah Guthrie, whose national platform has kept the story in the spotlight, each development brings renewed anguish. Her latest appeals emphasize the family’s desperation and Nancy’s irreplaceable role as the family matriarch. As the second week begins with a reported ransom deadline looming, the focus remains on every potential lead — no matter how grim — that could bring Nancy home alive.

The absence of breakthroughs after more than a week, combined with Nancy’s medical vulnerabilities, heightens the urgency. The septic tank search, while unsettling, reflects the exhaustive nature of the probe: leaving no stone — or tank — unturned in the race against time. Whether it yields evidence, rules out scenarios, or simply eliminates a possibility, it underscores the investigators’ determination amid mounting public concern and speculation.

As the nation watches, the hope persists that this latest dark turn will lead to clarity — and ultimately, to Nancy’s safe return to the family that needs her most.