Reward For Savannah Guthrie Mother's Return Surges Past $200K As Search Intensifies
By Favour Adegoke on February 19, 2026 at 1:45 PM EST
Updated on February 19, 2026 at 1:52 PM EST
The search for "Today" host Savannah Guthrie's mother, Nancy Guthrie, has intensified as the reward has been doubled.
The Pima County Sheriff's Office confirmed an anonymous donation raised the local reward to $102,500, in addition to $100,000 from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
As investigations into the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case continue, Arizona authorities are reportedly considering genetic genealogy to analyze DNA found at the octogenarian's home.
Reward For Savannah Guthrie's Mother Tops $200K Amid Ongoing Search
The search for Savannah Guthrie's 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, has intensified, with the reward fund now climbing to more than $200,000, nearly three weeks after she was reported missing.
On February 18, the Pima County Sheriff's Office announced that an anonymous $100,000 contribution to 88-CRIME allowed "the program to increase the reward for this case to $102,500."
According to Us Weekly, that amount is separate from the $100,000 being offered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, bringing the combined total to $202,500 for information that leads to Nancy's whereabouts or to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for her disappearance.
Authorities clarified that the FBI will not oversee any reward money outside of its own offer.
Earlier in the week, Milwaukee attorney Michael Hupy, president of Milwaukee Crime Stoppers, shared on Facebook that he intended to contribute $100,000 toward a reward through Crime Stoppers.
It has not been confirmed whether his pledge is connected to the anonymous 88-CRIME donation.
Authorities Review Surveillance Of Suspect With Walmart Backpack
Meanwhile, investigators have declined to comment on specific tactics, including whether they are collaborating with Mexican officials, using polygraph examinations, reviewing surveillance footage, or conducting financial tracking.
However, officials confirmed that biological evidence recovered from Nancy's Tucson home is being analyzed in a laboratory.
Nancy was last seen around 9:48 p.m. on January 31 after family members dropped her off at her residence. Detectives believe she may have been abducted during the early morning hours of February 1 while she was asleep.
Sheriff Chris Nanos said authorities are examining surveillance footage that shows an unidentified man on Nancy's porch carrying an Ozark Trail backpack.
Investigators suspect the bag may have been purchased at Walmart, and they are working with store managers statewide to review recent sales records and potential surveillance footage that could identify the buyer.
According to the FBI, the suspect is described as a man standing between 5-foot-9 and 5-foot-10 with an average build. Officials also noted that the individual appeared to be wearing a ring beneath black gloves.
A single black glove discovered about a mile and a half from Nancy's home has unfortunately not yet produced a DNA match.
Investigators Turn To Genetic Genealogy, As DNA Expert Says Suspect 'Will Be Identified'
As part of their forensic efforts, authorities are also considering the use of "investigative genetic genealogy" to identify potential DNA matches.
According to NBC News, the technique, which was previously instrumental in solving cases involving the Golden State Killer and Brian Kohberger, involves comparing crime scene DNA to publicly accessible genealogy databases to locate possible relatives of a suspect.
During an appearance on "Today," genetic genealogy expert CeCe Moore said the method can significantly narrow the field of suspects, adding that anyone responsible should be concerned "because using investigative genetic genealogy, he will be identified."
However, investigators cannot access private consumer genealogy platforms like Ancestry.com or 23andMe.
Instead, they must rely on DNA databases that are publicly available for law enforcement use. According to Moore, the timeline for results can vary widely.
If a suspect has "deep roots in the United States, it could be minutes, it could be a few hours." However, "if it's somebody who doesn't have connections to the U.S. in their tree in more recent generations, then it could take much longer."
Savannah Guthrie Pleads For Mother's Safe Return As Family Cleared In Ongoing Investigation
Amid the ongoing search, Savannah Guthrie, 54, took to Instagram with a heartfelt plea, asking anyone who may have information about her mother's disappearance to speak up.
"It is never too late to do the right thing," she said, expressing continued hope for her mother's safe return and emphasizing her belief "in the essential goodness of every human being."
Authorities also confirmed that Savannah, her two siblings, and their spouses have been ruled out as suspects.
The Pima County Sheriff's Office shared the update Monday as the widely followed case moved into its third week.
Nancy's Family Has Been Cooperating With Investigators, Sheriff Reveals
Sheriff Nanos, who has cleared the Guthries as suspects, told BBC News that the family has fully cooperated with investigators from the outset.
He explained that detectives conducted extensive reviews, including access to vehicles, homes, and phones, noting that the family voluntarily provided everything requested.
"They have been 100% cooperative," Nanos said, stressing that the family members are being treated as victims in the case, not suspects.
