SWAT Raid Shakes Tucson Neighborhood in Hunt for Missing Nancy Guthrie: Three Detained, No Arrests in High-Profile Kidnapping Case

Tucson, Arizona – The desperate search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC’s “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, entered a tense new phase on Friday night, February 13, 2026, when a multi-agency SWAT operation unfolded just two miles from her quiet suburban home. Pima County Sheriff’s deputies, backed by FBI agents, executed a federal court-ordered search warrant at a residence near East Orange Grove Road and North First Avenue in the Catalina Foothills area. Three people were temporarily detained for questioning during the raid, but authorities confirmed no arrests were made, and all were released shortly after.

The late-night activity—marked by dozens of law enforcement vehicles, including SWAT teams, forensics units, a mobile command center, and even bomb squad support—blocked roads and drew a crowd of onlookers and media as helicopters hovered overhead. The operation stemmed from a credible tip received by investigators, though details remain closely guarded at the FBI’s request. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos described it simply as “nothing more than a lead tracked down that led to a search warrant,” emphasizing that no signs of Nancy Guthrie were found at the location.

This development comes amid growing national concern over the 84-year-old grandmother’s fate. Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the evening of January 31, 2026, when her son-in-law dropped her off at her Tucson home following a family dinner. She failed to attend her regular church service the next morning, prompting family members to report her missing on February 1. Authorities quickly classified the case as an abduction, citing disturbing evidence at the scene: small drops of blood on the front steps and a trail leading away from the door, suggesting she was forcibly removed.

Chilling doorbell camera footage from a Nest device captured the apparent intruder in the pre-dawn hours of February 1. The masked figure, dressed in dark clothing and gloves, approached the front door carrying what appeared to be a flashlight (held in the mouth) and a holstered firearm. The suspect tampered with the camera—possibly disabling it—before the feed cut out around 2 a.m., coinciding with the disconnection of Nancy’s pacemaker from her monitoring app. The FBI released still images and video on February 13, describing the person of interest as a male, approximately 5’9″ to 5’10” tall, with an average build. No facial features are clearly visible due to the ski mask, but the footage has become central to the probe.

In the days following the disappearance, the investigation took several surreal turns. Multiple ransom notes—purportedly from the kidnapper—were sent to media outlets, including TMZ, containing specific details about Nancy’s home layout and clothing she was wearing that night. The first deadline passed without payment or further contact; a second, described as carrying “much more serious” consequences, also expired. Authorities have treated these communications cautiously, with no confirmation they came from the actual perpetrator.

Adding to the intrigue, unidentified DNA evidence—belonging to someone not in “close contact” with Nancy or her family—was recovered from her property. Sheriff Nanos revealed that biological samples are being analyzed at a contracted forensic lab in Florida, at a cost of approximately $200,000 to the department. He pushed back against suggestions of investigative friction, denying claims that local authorities had withheld evidence from federal partners. Separately, a black glove found about two miles from the home has been collected as potential evidence, though its connection remains unclear.

The Friday night raid represented the most visible escalation yet in a case that has already seen thousands of tips flood in—over 4,000 calls to the tip line in a single 24-hour period earlier in the week. Investigators have deployed high-tech tools, including aerial Bluetooth signal detectors (or “sniffers”) flown over the surrounding desert in hopes of picking up a trace from Nancy’s pacemaker. The device last pinged just before her abduction, offering a narrow window into her possible movements or location.

The SWAT action unfolded rapidly around 9 p.m. on February 13. Deputies surrounded the targeted residence, ordering occupants to exit. Reports indicate two individuals—a man and possibly his mother—emerged from the home, while a third man was detained during a nearby traffic stop, reportedly en route to the property. All three were questioned extensively but released without charges. Later that night, FBI agents turned their attention to a Range Rover parked in the lot of a nearby restaurant, just blocks from the raided home. The vehicle’s trunk was sealed, and it was towed away for further examination, though officials have not disclosed why the SUV drew interest.

Sheriff Nanos addressed the media the following morning, February 14, reiterating that the operation yielded no immediate breakthrough. “Some of these cases take months, some take years,” he told reporters, while stressing the ongoing commitment to treating the disappearance as a “rescue mission.” “They all have hope and belief that this is a rescue mission,” he added, acknowledging Nancy’s age and daily medication needs raise serious concerns for her well-being.

The case has drawn widespread attention due to Savannah Guthrie’s prominence. The veteran journalist has remained largely off-air during the ordeal, with sources indicating she will stay away from the “Today” show for the “foreseeable future” to focus on the search and support her family. On social media, Savannah has shared heartfelt pleas, posting FBI-released images and video with captions urging the public: “Someone out there recognizes this person. We believe she is still out there. Bring her home.” She has thanked supporters for prayers and expressed quiet confidence that her mother remains alive.

Public interest has sparked unofficial efforts to aid the investigation. Retired Houston forensic artist Lois Gibson, holder of the Guinness World Record for most successful forensic sketches, came out of retirement to create a composite based on the limited visible features in the doorbell footage—eye spacing, lip shape, and hints of facial hair beneath the mask. Gibson’s charcoal rendering depicts a man in his 30s or 40s with a goatee, thick eyebrows, and intense eyes. While not commissioned by authorities, her sketch circulated widely on social media and news outlets, with Gibson noting she felt “compelled” to help given her decades of experience turning vague clues into identifiable portraits.

The broader investigation involves a joint task force of local, state, and federal agencies. Billboards with Nancy’s photo and the $100,000 reward (doubled from the initial $50,000) have appeared in Tucson and beyond. Earlier, a local delivery driver was briefly detained and released after questioning, and neighbors recalled 911 calls about a suspected trespasser in nearby yards weeks before the abduction.

As the search stretches into its third week—with no confirmed sightings, no ransom payment, and no named suspect—the emotional toll mounts. Nancy Guthrie, described by family as independent, warm, and deeply involved in her church and community, now symbolizes a broader anxiety about vulnerability in everyday life. An elderly woman living alone, a high-tech home security system bypassed in seconds, and a family thrust into a national spotlight—the elements combine into a haunting mystery.

Authorities continue to urge the public to remain vigilant. The tip line remains active, and officials stress that even small details could prove pivotal. For now, the Catalina Foothills neighborhood—once peaceful—bears the scars of police tape, towed vehicles, and unanswered questions. The raid may have ended without arrests, but it underscores the relentless pace of the probe. Somewhere, investigators hope, a lead will finally break the silence and bring Nancy Guthrie home.