Retired FBI Agent 'Concerned' About Canvassing in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance

Law enforcement officers were seen canvassing the area near Nancy Guthrie's home on Thursday, raising questions about the investigation's progress.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A retired FBI agent expressed concerns about the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. Jennifer Coffindaffer, a former FBI special agent, said she is 'concerned' that law enforcement officers were seen canvassing the area near Guthrie's home in Tucson, Arizona for the second time, weeks after she went missing on January 31.

Why it matters

Nancy Guthrie's disappearance has prompted a multiagency search involving local law enforcement and the FBI. Authorities believe she was the victim of a targeted kidnapping, and her family is offering a $1 million reward for information leading to her recovery. The case has garnered national attention, and the concerns raised by the retired FBI agent about the investigation's progress add to the uncertainty surrounding Guthrie's whereabouts.

The details

Coffindaffer explained that a proper canvass should be conducted by experienced investigators and should be 'cohesive,' as opposed to 'just having investigators going and asking questions that they might think is important.' She said the fact that the area was canvassed twice suggests the task force, which includes FBI agents, may have 'evaluated' that they had a 'problem' with the initial canvass. Coffindaffer added that a canvass should have been done within the first two days of Guthrie's disappearance, as her life was 'on the line.'

  • Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona on January 31, 2026.
  • Law enforcement officers were seen canvassing the area near Guthrie's home on Thursday, March 6, 2026.

The players

Nancy Guthrie

The 84-year-old mother of Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, who has been missing for more than a month.

Jennifer Coffindaffer

A retired FBI special agent who expressed concerns about the investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.

Chris Nanos

The Pima County Sheriff who said there were clues at the crime scene indicating that Guthrie 'did not leave on her own' and that he believes she was a victim of a targeted kidnapping.

Timothy Courchaine

The U.S. attorney for the District of Arizona who stated that the United States Attorney's Office, together with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, will do anything to find Nancy Guthrie.

Savannah Guthrie

The Today show co-anchor and Nancy Guthrie's daughter, who announced that the family is offering a $1 million reward for information leading to her mother's recovery.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'm concerned because it's been canvassed twice.”

— Jennifer Coffindaffer, Retired FBI Special Agent (Newsweek)

“The United States Attorney's Office, together with the FBI and every other law enforcement agency involved in finding Nancy, will go anywhere, do anything, and persevere always to find her.”

— Timothy Courchaine, U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona (Newsweek)

“We also know that she may be lost, she may already be gone. She may have already gone home to the Lord that she loves and is dancing in heaven with her mom and her dad, and with her beloved brother Pierce, and with our daddy. And if this is what is to be, then we will accept it. But we need to know where she is, we need her to come home.”

— Savannah Guthrie (Instagram)

What’s next

Coffindaffer said the information gathered during the latest canvassing could lead to further questioning in the neighborhood, as the case agent reevaluates all the information and determines any logical leads that can be followed up on.

The takeaway

The concerns raised by the retired FBI agent about the investigation's progress highlight the challenges law enforcement faces in high-profile missing persons cases, especially when the victim's life may be in immediate danger. The case has also underscored the importance of thorough and timely investigative work, as well as the crucial role that community cooperation can play in solving these types of crimes.