Investigators hope to catch signals from Nancy Guthrie's pacemaker

Authorities turn to pacemaker tech in search for missing 84-year-old woman

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

As the search for Nancy Guthrie stretches into its third week, investigators are turning their attention to the 84-year-old's pacemaker in hopes it could lead to a breakthrough in the case. The heart-rate-regulating device was disconnected from an app on Guthrie's phone shortly after doorbell camera footage detected a person on her front porch. Authorities are now using novel technology, including 'signal sniffer' tools mounted on helicopters, to try to detect any signals still being transmitted by Guthrie's pacemaker.

Why it matters

Guthrie's pacemaker could provide crucial evidence in the ongoing investigation into her alleged abduction, as the device continues to attempt transmitting data even when separated from her mobile device. Leveraging this technology represents a novel approach as law enforcement faces challenges in collecting other evidence and sharing information with the public.

The details

Guthrie's pacemaker has six or seven years of battery life remaining, and the manufacturer has been working with the FBI and engineers to help track signals from the device. Investigators are also looking at other evidence, including DNA recovered from a glove found near Guthrie's home and data on sales of the backpack and mask worn by the suspect seen in doorbell camera footage.

  • On February 1, Guthrie's pacemaker app disconnected from her phone at 2:28 a.m., shortly after a person was detected on her front porch.
  • The search for Guthrie has stretched into its third week.

The players

Nancy Guthrie

An 84-year-old woman who went missing from her home in Tucson, Arizona.

Chris Nanos

The Pima County Sheriff who is leading the investigation into Guthrie's disappearance.

Rishi Anand

A cardiologist at Holy Cross Health in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, who provided expert insight on pacemaker technology.

David Kennedy

A former National Security Agency hacker who has developed 'signal sniffer' technology being used in the search for Guthrie.

Jim Jones

A George Mason University professor and expert on cybersecurity and digital forensics who commented on the challenges of detecting pacemaker signals.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Everybody has come up and said, 'What do you need, Sheriff?'”

— Chris Nanos, Pima County Sheriff (dnyuz.com)

“It's a bit like looking for a small object in your backyard with a microscope. You have to be right on the right spot at the right time to be able to detect it.”

— Jim Jones, George Mason University professor (dnyuz.com)

What’s next

Investigators and the Guthrie family are continuing to appeal to the public for any information that could help locate Nancy Guthrie, while law enforcement explores new technological approaches to tracking her pacemaker signals and other evidence.

The takeaway

The search for Nancy Guthrie highlights the evolving role of technology in criminal investigations, as authorities leverage innovative tools like pacemaker signal detection to try to locate a missing person, even as they face challenges in collecting and sharing evidence.