FBI Probes Internet Outage Near Abducted Grandmother's Home

Investigators search for clues about sophisticated planning behind 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

FBI agents have been canvassing the Tucson neighborhood of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, who went missing five weeks ago, asking about a reported internet outage on the night she was abducted from her home. The internet disruption, if confirmed as deliberate, would suggest a high level of planning by the perpetrators, who also disabled Guthrie's doorbell camera and were captured on surveillance footage wearing masks and gloves. Authorities have not named any suspects, and the investigation has faced scrutiny over its progress.

Why it matters

This case has raised concerns about the vulnerability of residential security systems and the ability of sophisticated criminals to evade detection, even in a quiet neighborhood. The apparent planning and technical capabilities involved in Guthrie's abduction have fueled fears about the potential for similar crimes and the challenges law enforcement faces in responding effectively.

The details

According to reports, FBI agents have been questioning Guthrie's neighbors about the internet outage, which one resident described as the service being "not available" that night. Surveillance footage recovered from Guthrie's doorbell camera shows a masked figure in black nitrile gloves standing on her doorstep, suggesting the perpetrators may have used a signal jammer to disable the camera. Authorities have ruled out Guthrie's family members as suspects, but the Pima County Sheriff's Department has faced criticism over the investigation's progress, with allegations of a failure to deploy an aircraft due to staffing issues.

  • Nancy Guthrie was last seen around 10 p.m. on February 1, returning home from dinner at her daughter's house.
  • Guthrie was reported missing the following day, February 2.

The players

Nancy Guthrie

An 84-year-old woman who was abducted from her Tucson home five weeks ago.

Savannah Guthrie

The daughter of Nancy Guthrie and a host on the Today Show.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos

The sheriff leading the investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.

Jamie Siminoff

The CEO of Ring, a home security company, who has commented on the case.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I've said this from the beginning: I have full faith, full confidence, they're going to solve this.”

— Chris Nanos, Pima County Sheriff (NBC News)

“I do believe if they had more of it, if there was more cameras on the house, I think we might, you know, have solved [the case].”

— Jamie Siminoff, CEO of Ring (Fortune)

What’s next

The FBI has announced it will be scaling back its search and moving its command post more than 100 miles away from Phoenix, though some agents will remain in Tucson and continue working the case from Phoenix.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing threat of sophisticated criminal activity that can bypass residential security measures and evade law enforcement, raising concerns about the vulnerability of ordinary citizens and the need for more effective responses from authorities to address such threats.