In a chilling development in the ongoing disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC’s “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, authorities made a grim discovery behind her Tucson, Arizona home. Over a week after Nancy vanished from her Catalina Foothills residence—where blood belonging to her was found on the front porch—investigators turned their attention to the septic tank in the backyard.

Drone footage captured law enforcement officers removing the manhole cover and probing deep into the tank. Sources close to the investigation describe a tense scene as teams descended to depths of around 5 meters, only to be hit by an overpowering foul odor rising from below. Witnesses reported the unmistakable stench of decay, prompting immediate concerns that something sinister had been concealed in the wastewater system.

The strange object reportedly retrieved has not been publicly identified, but its presence has shifted the case from a possible abduction to a full-scale criminal probe. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos previously stated that Nancy is “still out there,” but the septic tank search suggests investigators are exploring darker possibilities, including foul play connected to the home itself.

Nancy, who lived alone and had limited mobility but no cognitive issues, was last seen in late January 2026. Her home quickly became a crime scene after dried blood droplets were discovered leading away from the front door, and the doorbell camera had mysteriously vanished. The FBI joined the effort, offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to her safe return or the arrest of those responsible.

Neighbors have come forward with eerie details: suspicious vehicles creeping near driveways, trespassers spotted in nearby yards, and an overall feeling that something was “off” long before the disappearance. One neighbor’s intuition reportedly pointed police toward overlooked areas of the property, escalating the urgency.

As the search enters its second week, the septic tank operation has fueled speculation online. Armchair detectives and true crime enthusiasts flood social media with theories, from hidden evidence of a struggle to more disturbing scenarios involving disposal. Authorities have towed vehicles, seized cameras from the roof, and even searched related family properties late at night.

Savannah Guthrie has publicly pleaded for her mother’s safe return, releasing emotional videos and offering rewards. Yet, with no suspects named and the investigation turning increasingly grim, the foul smell from the depths of that backyard tank lingers as a haunting clue. Is this the breakthrough that solves the mystery, or another dead end in a case growing stranger by the day?

The public remains on edge, waiting for answers as the search for Nancy Guthrie continues amid mounting questions and that unmistakable, stomach-turning odor.