Retired FBI Agent Believes $1M Reward Will Prevent Nancy Guthrie Case from Going Cold

Authorities believe the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie was kidnapped from her Arizona home.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 5:31pm

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A retired FBI agent has explained why she believes the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the missing 84-year-old mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, won't become a cold case. Maureen O'Connell told NewsNation's Brian Entin that the $1 million reward being offered by the family will be a strong incentive for someone to come forward with information. Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was kidnapped from her home just outside Tucson, Arizona on January 31 and have expressed concern about her health since she needs vital daily medication.

Why it matters

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of a high-profile TV personality, has garnered significant national attention. The large reward being offered by the family is an unusual step that highlights the urgency in finding her and preventing the case from going cold.

The details

Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie, 84, was kidnapped from her home near Tucson, Arizona on January 31. Drops of her blood were found on the front porch, indicating a struggle. Since her disappearance, authorities have expressed concern about her health, as she requires vital daily medication. Retired FBI agent Maureen O'Connell believes the $1 million reward offered by the family will be a strong incentive for someone with information to come forward, stating that 'a million dollars is a lot of money, that's going to change someone's world.' O'Connell also suggested that if more than one person is involved, they are now 'in an air fryer' and it's just a matter of 'who's going to jump out first'.

  • Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home on January 31, 2026.
  • Nancy Guthrie was reported missing the following day, February 1, 2026.

The players

Nancy Guthrie

An 84-year-old woman who went missing from her home near Tucson, Arizona on January 31, 2026. She is the mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie.

Savannah Guthrie

The co-host of the Today show, whose 84-year-old mother Nancy Guthrie went missing from her home near Tucson, Arizona on January 31, 2026.

Maureen O'Connell

A retired FBI agent who believes the $1 million reward offered by Nancy Guthrie's family will be a strong incentive for someone with information to come forward.

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What they’re saying

“A million dollars is a lot of money, that's going to change someone's world.”

— Maureen O'Connell, Retired FBI Agent

“If there's more than one person involved in this, which I believe there is, they're now in an air fryer and it's just who's going to jump out first.”

— Maureen O'Connell, Retired FBI Agent

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow any suspects out on bail.

The takeaway

The large $1 million reward offered by Nancy Guthrie's family highlights the urgency in finding her and preventing the case from going cold. Retired FBI agent Maureen O'Connell believes the reward will incentivize someone with information to come forward, potentially leading to a break in the case.