Complete Timeline of Nancy Guthrie's Disappearance — From Her Last Activity to a Man's Arrest

From a routine Saturday evening to a mysterious early-morning gap and a later arrest, investigators say a narrow timeline may hold the key to understanding what happened to this beloved grandmother.

Nancy Guthrie, 84, the mother of “Today” anchor Savannah Guthrie, was last seen last weekend at her Tucson home before a series of unexplained digital failures and physical findings raised alarm.

Authorities have since pieced together a minute-by-minute breakdown of the case as it shifted from a missing-person search to a full-on criminal investigation. Here's what happened.

Saturday, January 31 - The Night Before She Vanished

At 5:32 p.m., Nancy went to a local family's house. Authorities confirmed that her other daughter, Annie Guthrie, was the last person to see her alive. That final interaction, however, did not raise immediate alarm bells.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said that Annie reported no unusual behavior from her mother during their last encounter. There were, he said, no immediate "red flags."

A relative, likely Nancy's daughter, dropped her off at home by 9:48 p.m., at which point the garage door opened. The sheriff reported that the door had closed again by 9:50 p.m.

Sunday, February 1 - The Ill-Fated Day

Early Sunday morning at 1:47 a.m., the doorbell camera went offline. By 2:12 a.m., the system detected a person's presence, yet no video footage exists of the event.

Sheriff Nanos explained that because the surveillance system lacked a subscription, the software frequently overwrites or fragments the data, creating gaps in the recording.

While his analysis team confirmed this technical limitation, he also clarified that they hadn't finished their investigation. Although he acknowledged the possibility that an animal triggered the sensor, the lack of visual evidence left the figure's identity a mystery.

Despite these hurdles, Sheriff Nanos and his team vowed to continue to pursue every available lead.

Shockingly, in 2021, before her disappearance, Nancy had asked neighbors on Nextdoor about outdoor security cameras. She reportedly wrote:

"I'm thinking about buying ring or nest security/doorbell camera? Any suggestions? Which has the best camera?"

She said she wanted to monitor "activity at night."

Beyond her interest in cameras, Nancy had a pacemaker, which stopped syncing with her Apple Watch and phone at 2:28 a.m. that Sunday, according to the New York Post.

A law enforcement source told an outlet that the device appeared to be taken "out of range" at that time. "Investigators believe she was taken out of range around that time," the insider said.

When deputies reached the home hours later, her phone and Apple Watch were still inside. Sheriff Nanos later confirmed the search was no longer routine, saying the case was becoming more investigative.

But before that, family members had arrived at the residence to check on Nancy at 11:56 a.m. The Pima County Sheriff's Department received a 911 call regarding the situation at 12:03 p.m. Patrol units arrived at the scene at 12:15 p.m. to begin their initial investigation.

Then came the dispatch audio, and with it, a clearer picture of Nancy's vulnerability. Recordings obtained by People revealed deputies were alerted that she has high blood pressure, cardiac issues, and relies on a pacemaker.

The audio also included a precise physical description: Nancy was a white female, 84 years of age, 5'2", medium build, brown over blue.

Additionally, Savannah was then informed. A family member called to say her mother was missing. It was "the worst phone call of her life," an NBC producer who knows Savannah personally told CNN. Even with an international trip looming, Savannah immediately dropped everything.

A source familiar with the matter said she scrambled to fly to Tucson. By Monday morning, February 2, Sheriff Nanos confirmed that Savannah had been in contact with his office and that her security team had been coordinating with authorities throughout the night.

A Nice, Quiet Place

Before Nancy vanished, the neighborhood where she lived was known for being calm and predictable. Residents say it was the kind of place where nothing out of the ordinary ever seemed to happen.

Morgan Brown, who lives about a quarter of a mile up the street, described the area as quiet and long settled. "There are quite a bit of retirees and people who have lived in the neighborhood for a while," he shared. "You don't hear of a lot of weird stuff in the neighborhood."

Morgan said people do walk in the area, but activity during the early morning hours is unusual. That detail later took on new significance as investigators narrowed their focus to a small overnight window.

The landscape itself is rugged and largely undeveloped. "This is the foothills of Tucson," Morgan said. "If you step two feet off the road, you are basically in the thick of the cactus. It's not gated at all."

After Nancy was reported missing, Morgan said the atmosphere shifted. Law enforcement presence increased, and the activity became impossible to miss.

"There were a lot of cop cars there at first, and then it was vans," she said. "There were a lot of dark vans with blacked-out windows, so I assumed that maybe they came across something."

Morgan and the rest of the neighbors were asked to review their Ring camera footage for anything unusual. Authorities, he said, told residents they were "narrowing it down" to a window between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. on Sunday.

"I don't know how they know that," Morgan added. "My Ring cameras don't face the street, but I went through them and haven't heard that anyone found anything."

As the response continued, residents noticed helicopters overhead as part of the search. The aerial activity stood out in a neighborhood where such scenes are rare.

The area has no sidewalks, and the terrain quickly turns into open desert. According to Morgan, stepping just a few feet off the road puts someone into thick cactus, scrubby mesquite trees, and rocky ground.

Morgan also pointed out that Nancy used a cane, which made it difficult for him to believe she would have walked away on her own. Given the landscape, the idea that she wandered into the desert did not make sense to him.

By the following morning, Morgan said the visible activity appeared to slow. "I haven't seen anyone there this morning," he said at the time.

Monday, February 2 - Day 2 of Nancy's Disappearance

Investigators never believed Nancy left the premises by choice, according to Sheriff Nanos. He pointed out that her physical limitations would make it nearly impossible for her to leave the home without help.

During a news conference on Monday, he urged the community to assist the department by reporting any unusual activity or potential sightings of the missing woman.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department established a tip line and offered a reward of up to $2,500 for any photos, videos, or details that led to the arrest of those responsible for her disappearance.

Sheriff Nanos also expressed a desperate need for public assistance because he wanted to avoid a tragic outcome. In this case, Nancy faces immediate danger because she requires daily medication.

However, the sheriff also clarified that investigators found no evidence of specific threats toward Savannah regarding her mother's disappearance. He confirmed that his team continues to utilize every available resource to locate her.

Additionally, Sheriff Nanos appealed directly to anyone holding the victim and urged them to contact the department. He stated that the family simply wanted her released and returned with "no questions asked."

The Changing Case

Initially, the investigation functioned as a wide-scale search operation where authorities deployed aircraft, drones, and ground teams. The department eventually paused that phase to allow detectives to focus their efforts on physical evidence, technology, and specific leads tied to the crime scene.

Furthermore, authorities reviewed license plate readers, community camera systems, and digital data recovered from the residence. Sheriff Nanos confirmed that they urged neighbors to check their own doorbell and security footage, regardless of whether the recordings seemed relevant.

It was also confirmed that officers had found Nancy's cell phone and were evaluating its contents. When asked about public safety, the sheriff stated that no evidence indicated an active threat, though he noted that deputies would continue to canvass the neighborhood.

Savannah Speaks Out

Through an Instagram post on that same Monday, the "Today" news anchor appealed to the public for spiritual support. She expressed a profound belief in the power of collective prayer, hope, and faith in God.

Describing her mother as a devoted and faithful woman, Savannah urged followers to join the family in prayer, believing that these unified efforts would support Nancy in her current situation.

She concluded by citing a verse from the Book of Isaiah regarding steadfast trust in the Lord and ended with a direct plea for her mother's safe return.

Tuesday, February 3 - Day 3 of Nancy's Disappearance

The investigation took a darker turn Tuesday morning when TMZ was sent a purported ransom demand. This communication insisted on a payment of several million dollars, specifically requiring the transfer of funds in Bitcoin to a verified digital address.

The sender imposed a rigid deadline and issued a clear ultimatum regarding the consequences of refusal. The note also highlighted a specific piece of property damaged at the Tucson-area home, a detail designed to prove the kidnapper's presence.

TMZ immediately handed the demand over to Sheriff Nanos to assist the ongoing criminal investigation.

A New Discovery

When investigators later examined the residence, law enforcement sources confirmed they found blood inside the house.

Authorities did not immediately determine the origin of the blood, and officials remained silent on whether Nancy sustained any injuries. But eventually, law enforcement officials confirmed that the recovered DNA belonged to Nancy.

As detectives continued to process the scene, another detail intensified the investigation's focus. Sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, reported that they discovered clear signs of forced entry at the property.

Wednesday, February 4 - Day 4 of Nancy's Disappearance

Four days after Nancy's disappearance, Savannah posted a poignant Instagram video alongside her siblings, Annie and Camron Guthrie, where she made a direct plea for her mother's return. She thanked the public for their prayers and noted that the family felt the community's spiritual support during the crisis.

Throughout the recording, Savannah described Nancy as a principled woman defined by her deep faith, sharp wit, and adventurous spirit. She highlighted her mother's role as a grandmother, mentioning how much the children adored her.

However, the tone shifted as Savannah addressed her mother's physical vulnerability, explaining that Nancy suffered from constant pain and lacked the life-sustaining medication she required daily.

Before ending the video with a personal message of strength to her mother, the family addressed the high-profile reports regarding ransom demands. Savannah confirmed they were aware of the notes sent to media outlets but urged caution due to the potential for digital manipulation.

She insisted on undeniable proof that her mother was alive and demanded direct communication from those involved. She made it clear that the family stood ready to listen but required absolute verification before proceeding.

Thursday, February 5 - Day 5 of Nancy's Disappearance

A separate report from TMZ introduced a new angle in the case after an independent journalist suggested a family member faced scrutiny from investigators.

The claims centered on Savannah's brother-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, who is married to her sister Annie. While Annie reportedly saw Nancy for dinner on Saturday night, the report questioned Tommaso's presence and suggested that authorities took actions involving his property or potential damage at Nancy's home.

Law enforcement quickly addressed these assertions. The Pima County Sheriff's Department informed TMZ that they had not identified any suspects or persons of interest and explained that detectives merely continued to interview anyone who had recent contact with the victim.

Officials also denied claims that they had seized a vehicle belonging to Tommaso, noting that they still awaited forensic results.

As the search for Nancy continued into its 5th day, authorities acknowledged that the evidence found at her residence had changed the direction of the case. They shifted their focus from a standard search to a more profound analysis of the scene itself.

Officials stated that these findings pushed the investigation beyond a routine missing person case and began to shape their next strategic steps.

Furthermore, Sheriff Nanos shared that while the team didn't have firm proof Nancy was okay, they truly hoped she was still out there somewhere.

During a conversation with the press, he emphasized how much everyone wanted to see her back home safely, even though he had to be honest about the lack of evidence regarding her current well-being.

Additionally, the FBI stepped in to help and significantly increased the incentive for information, offering a reward of up to $50,000. They hoped this larger amount would encourage anyone with details to come forward, whether it led to Nancy's safe return or helped authorities find those responsible for her disappearance.

An Arrest Was Made

Federal authorities shared another big update on Thursday, when they took a California man into custody. According to the Department of Justice, the man allegedly reached out to Savannah's family right when public worry was at its peak.

This sparked a fast-moving collaboration between the FBI and local police because the messages were sent across state lines. As more details came out, the situation turned out to be a bit more complicated than it first looked.

The FBI explained that these texts actually weren't linked to the original ransom demands. In fact, investigators didn't believe this person had anything to do with Nancy's actual disappearance.

Prosecutors filed a federal criminal complaint charging the man with sending a ransom demand through interstate commerce and using a phone to harass someone. They eventually identified him as Derrick Callella.

The FBI noted that he admitted to sending the messages after seeing the case on the news and finding the family's contact info online.

While officials reminded everyone that he is presumed innocent, they also sent a clear message that they would go after anyone trying to take advantage of this difficult situation.