Why Sheriff Chris Nanos ruled out theory Nancy Guthrie’s abduction was burglary gone bad — The One Detail at the Scene That Investigators Say Doesn’t Add Up 🔍 Officials say the evidence left behind tells a very different story than a random break-in. No forced chaos, no rushed exit — just calculated movement. So if it wasn’t a burglary gone wrong… was it something far more deliberate? 👀

Why Sheriff Chris Nanos ruled out theory Nancy Guthrie’s abduction was burglary gone bad

Investigators have ruled out the theory that Nancy Guthrie’s abduction was a burglary gone bad.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed that investigators are eyeing Guthrie’s disappearance as a kidnapping and not a burglary in an interview with DailyMail.

“This is somebody who disappeared from the face of the Earth, and now we have a camera that says here’s the person who did this,” Nanos said, referring to the new security footage capturing an armed individual outside of Guthrie’s home the night she went missing more than two weeks ago.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos gestures during an interview.
Chris Nanos confirmed that investigators have ruled out Nancy Guthrie’s abduction as a botched burglary. REUTERS

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos speaking during an interview.
“This is somebody who disappeared from the face of the Earth, and now we have a camera that says here’s the person who did this,” Nanos told the DailyMail. REUTERS

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Authorities have not been able to pin down a clear motive, and there were no valuable items missing from Guthrie’s Tucson-area home.

“That’s what makes me say this is a kidnapping,” Nanos said. “The motivation for it is where we get stuck, right?”

“Is it for money? I mean, we had the one demand where they asked for money,” he continued. “But is it really for money, or is it for revenge for something?”

Savannah Guthrie with Nancy Guthrie.
There is no clear motive for the abduction of Savannah Guthrie’s mom. Instagram/savannahguthrie

Savannah Guthrie with Nancy Guthrie.
“That’s what makes me say this is a kidnapping. “The motivation for it is where we get stuck, right?” Nanos said. Instagram/savannahguthrie

Nanos’ clarification came after a law enforcement source told AZFamily that there was speculation that Guthrie’s disappearance was the product of a botched robbery.

However, Nanos told Fox News that the burglary theory did not come from his own team.

“It did not come from us. No idea and even though that is one of many possibilities, we would never speculate such a thing. We will let the evidence take us to motive,” he said.

Another source mirrored Nanos’ denial, saying, “This is not the working theory inside the unit.”

Surveillance footage of a person wearing a ski mask, holding flowers.
Security camera footage shows a masked person outside of Nancy’s home on the night she went missing. FBI

Surveillance image of a person in a balaclava, jacket, and backpack at a doorway.
The individual appeared to be armed. FBI Phoenix

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“Nighttime residential burglaries are so ridiculously rare. Crazy rare,” the insider told Fox.

Savannah Gurthie’s 84-year-old mother was last seen Jan. 31 and was reported missing the next morning.

Her home was immediately determined to be a crime scene after evidence — including a trail of blood outside her home — pointed to signs that she was taken from her home against her will.

Shortly after, an alleged ransom note demanded that $6 million in bitcoin be sent to an address in exchange for Nancy’s release.

Savannah Guthrie begging for the return of her mother, Nancy.
Savannah and her siblings have said they are willing to pay the ransom. Instagram / Savannah Guthrie

A discarded blue work glove lies on the ground in the desert, partially covered in dirt and small rocks.
Several gloves have been found near Nancy’s home. James Keivom for NY Post

Savannah and her siblings have shared that they are willing to pay the ransom, but asked that the kidnapper show a sign of life.

Last week, video footage was released of an armed and masked person outside of Nancy’s home on the night she went missing. Several peoplehave been detained — and released — since then, and at least 16 gloves were recovered near Nancy’s home that could point to new evidence.

However, no suspects have been identified in the investigation, and the FBI has offered a $100,000 reward for key information leading to Nancy’s whereabouts.

THE END OF HOPE: THE FINAL DISCOVERY 🕊️💔 **”A NATION’S HEART BREAKS WITH SAVANNAH. The hope that sustained us for weeks has officially vanished, replaced by a grief so profound it has brought the world of broadcast news to a standstill. Today, February 15, 2026, the Tucson Police Department delivered the final, devastating update we all feared: the search for Nancy Guthrie has reached its tragic conclusion.  In a broadcast that will be remembered for years, Savannah Guthrie appeared live, unable to hold back the tears as she shared the news that her mother would not be coming home. Her raw, trembling voice transformed this investigation into a visceral lesson in loss and the fragility of life. Forensic evidence discovered in the remote Arizona desert led authorities to the final location, shifting this mission from a rescue to a criminal pursuit for justice.  Savannah’s courage in this moment is nothing short of heroic. You won’t believe the heartbreaking final message she shared about the last time she spoke to her mother—a detail so personal it has left even veteran reporters in tears. Before the family requests privacy, you need to see the Full Live Transcript and the Digital Memorial Tribute below. The desert has given up its secrets, but the cost has been far too high. Full details of the ‘Final Discovery’ in the comments.
**”A DAUGHTER’S WORST NIGHTMARE. 🚨🕯️ The world of broadcast news came to a standstill today as Savannah Guthrie delivered the final, heartbreaking update on her mother’s disappearance. Live on air, with a voice trembling from a grief too profound for words, Savannah confirmed that Nancy Guthrie has been found in the outskirts of the Arizona desert.  What was once a high-profile search is now a pursuit for criminal justice. The grace Savannah has shown in the face of this ‘Final Discovery’ is nothing short of heroic, but the cost of the truth has been devastating. Even veteran reporters were left in tears by the personal details Savannah shared about their final moments together. Find the full details of the investigation and join the community in honoring Nancy’s memory in the comments below.
**”A GLIMMER OF LIGHT ON DAY 4. 🚨💪 Maya Gebala is showing the world what it means to fight. Nurses report that she is now trying to initiate her own breaths and is showing pupil response—small signs that mean everything in this critical hour.  The family’s message is simple: One breath at a time. They are seeing the progress they’ve been praying for. She isn’t giving up, and neither are we. Stay with us for the full update on Maya’s condition in the first comment.
“BEYOND THE BROADCAST. 📺💔 As the search for Savannah Guthrie’s family continues, Craig Melvin is proving that friendship goes far deeper than the studio lights. Choosing to step away from the headlines to offer his unwavering support, Craig’s gesture has touched the hearts of millions. In a world of constant noise, his silence speaks volumes. It’s a testament to a bond that refuses to let a colleague walk through the fire alone. We stand with Savannah, and we applaud the kindness that reminds us we are human first, and professionals second. 🕊️
“MORE THAN JUST COLLEAGUES. 📺💔 Putting humanity before the broadcast, Craig Melvin has paused his major career plans to support Savannah Guthrie during her family’s darkest hour. No search for medals, no chasing cameras—just the quiet power of being there. As the agony of the search continues, Craig’s decision serves as a beacon of light, reminding us all that showing up for each other is the most important role we can ever play. True friendship shines brightest in the shadows.