Ex-FBI Agent Thinks Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Arrest Could be Imminent

Savannah Guthrie's 84-year-old mother has been missing since January 31.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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As the search for Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today's Savannah Guthrie, continues into its sixth week, a retired FBI agent has suggested that law enforcement's refusal of volunteer search group assistance could indicate an arrest is imminent. Nancy Guthrie has been missing since January 31, when police believe she was abducted from her home in Tucson, Arizona.

Why it matters

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has garnered significant national attention, with rewards totaling $1.2 million being offered for information. The case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in high-profile missing persons cases and the role that civilian search groups can play in assisting investigations.

The details

Last week, the grassroots nonprofit organization United Cajun Navy offered to assist in the search, but Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has not responded to the offer. Former FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer questioned why Nanos would turn away the volunteer-led help, suggesting that law enforcement may be close to an arrest and does not want to waste the resources of these groups.

  • Nancy Guthrie has been missing since January 31, 2026.
  • The search for Nancy Guthrie has been ongoing for six weeks as of March 11, 2026.

The players

Nancy Guthrie

The 84-year-old mother of Today's Savannah Guthrie, who has been missing since January 31, 2026.

Savannah Guthrie

The host of the Today show, whose mother, Nancy Guthrie, has been missing since January 31, 2026.

Chris Nanos

The Pima County Sheriff, who has not responded to the offer of assistance from the United Cajun Navy in the search for Nancy Guthrie.

Jennifer Coffindaffer

A retired FBI agent who has suggested that law enforcement's refusal of volunteer search group assistance could indicate an arrest is imminent in the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case.

Brian Trascher

The vice president of the United Cajun Navy, a grassroots nonprofit organization that offered to assist in the search for Nancy Guthrie.

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What they’re saying

“Wondering why Sheriff Nanos keeps turning away proven very capable civilian search experts like EquuSearch and the real Cajun Navy? Is LE close to an arrest and they know what happened to Nancy so they don't want to waste the valuable resources of these groups?”

— Jennifer Coffindaffer, Former FBI Agent (Twitter)

“I think the number one way this case is going to be solved, in my opinion, is somebody coming forward that knows him. You know, a girlfriend that gets angry at him or a family member that finds some sort of moral compass or wants that $1.2 million and finds that is worth it to go ahead and betray their loved one.”

— Jennifer Coffindaffer, Former FBI Agent (Newsweek)

What’s next

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

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in high-profile missing persons cases, as well as the potential role that civilian search groups can play in assisting investigations. The significant rewards offered for information also underscore the urgency in finding Nancy Guthrie and bringing her abductor to justice.