Did Police have just found a Receipt for the Purchase of 25 Liters of Acid and Gas Masks? Here’s The Full Story!!

Quick Answer: On February 1, 2026, Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing from her home in Catalina Foothills, Arizona. DNA evidence and doorbell camera footage confirmed she was abducted. As of February 28, 2026, she has not been found. A $1.1 million reward is being offered for information.

1. Who Is Nancy Guthrie?

Nancy Guthrie is an 84-year-old woman who lives in Catalina Foothills, a residential community north of Tucson, Arizona. She is the mother of NBC News Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie and her daughter Annie.

She is described as an active member of her church community and maintained regular routines, including a scheduled weekly church livestream that she hosted. It was her failure to appear for that livestream that first alerted her family something was wrong.

Prior to her disappearance, she had no known disputes or enemies. Investigators have publicly cleared all immediate family members as possible suspects.

2. The Night She Disappeared

The evening of Saturday, January 31, 2026, appeared entirely routine. Nancy Guthrie spent the evening with relatives — eating dinner and playing games. At approximately 9:50 PM, her son-in-law Tommaso Cioni drove her home and dropped her off. He is the last confirmed person to have seen her.

At around 2:30 AM on February 1, Nancy’s pacemaker disconnected from the phone application that monitored it remotely. Investigators believe this disconnection marks the approximate time she was taken.

When she failed to appear for her Sunday morning church livestream, a church member contacted the family. Relatives went to her home around 11:00 AM, searched the property, and found nothing. At noon they called 911.

When police arrived, what they found left no doubt this was not a voluntary disappearance. Her wallet, cellphone, and personal belongings had all been left behind. And there was blood on the front porch.

3. Crime Scene Evidence

Investigators found several critical pieces of physical evidence at and near Nancy Guthrie’s home.

Blood on the Front Porch

Blood droplets were discovered on Nancy’s front porch. DNA testing confirmed the blood belonged to Nancy Guthrie. This was a significant early finding that shifted the investigation from a missing persons case to a suspected kidnapping.

Disconnected Doorbell Camera

The doorbell camera had been deliberately tampered with. The intruder attempted to physically remove the device. When unable to do so, he covered the lens with foliage from a nearby potted plant. Despite this, investigators successfully recovered data from the device.

Suspicious Vehicle

Surveillance footage from a nearby gas station captured a suspicious vehicle parked in the area during a 45-minute window that investigators believe corresponds to the time of the abduction.

DNA From a Glove

A glove was recovered near the property. Investigators extracted DNA from the glove, but when submitted to the FBI’s national database, the sample did not match any known criminal profile. Investigators are now pursuing investigative genetic genealogy — submitting the DNA to third-party ancestry databases where a biological relative of the suspect may have registered, potentially providing a lead to the suspect’s identity.

4. The Masked Intruder: FBI Releases Doorbell Footage

On February 10, 2026, FBI Director Kash Patel publicly released four black-and-white images from the doorbell camera showing a masked, armed intruder outside Nancy Guthrie’s home.

The suspect is described as male, approximately 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, and of average build. He was wearing gloves and carrying a backpack.

Key Details About the Suspect’s Equipment

• Backpack: Identified as an Ozark brand backpack
• Gun holster: Described by investigators as having ‘unique characteristics’ that could be traced
• Gloves: Worn during the approach to the home
• Face covering: Mask concealing full face

Critically, the doorbell footage shows the intruder visiting Nancy’s doorstep on multiple separate occasions — not just the morning of the abduction. This strongly suggests the kidnapping was premeditated and involved prior surveillance of the property.

Following the release of the images, investigators canvassed gun shops across the Tucson area, hoping someone could identify the distinctive holster.

The fact that he came back multiple times tells us this was planned. This was not an opportunistic crime.

5. The Ransom Notes

Multiple ransom notes were received demanding payment in cryptocurrency. Two payment deadlines were set, both of which passed by February 9, 2026, without confirmed payment or verified proof of life.

The authenticity of the ransom notes is under active investigation. Investigators have not publicly confirmed whether the notes originated from the actual abductor or from opportunists attempting to exploit the high-profile case.

Why Proof of Life Is Critical

The family publicly stated they were willing to pay for Nancy’s return but needed to know she was alive first. Savannah Guthrie specifically acknowledged the challenge of providing proof of life in an era of AI-generated content.

We live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. — Savannah Guthrie

Hostage negotiation experts noted that paying without verification could result in payment to a fraudulent party. The family was advised to hold firm on the demand for genuine proof of life before any payment was considered.

6. Savannah Guthrie’s Public Pleas

Savannah Guthrie made a series of increasingly urgent video appeals in the days following her mother’s disappearance.

• February 4: Tearful plea to the possible captor asking for proof of life and safe return
• February 5: Second video directly addressing the kidnapper and asking them to make contact
• February 7: Family signals willingness to pay; demands verification of Nancy being alive

In one of her most painful statements, Savannah acknowledged the possibility that her mother may already be gone — while continuing to hold onto hope.

We still believe. We still believe in a miracle. We still believe that she can come home. We also know that she may be lost. She may already be gone. — Savannah Guthrie

President Trump called Savannah Guthrie on February 4, offering additional federal resources. The White House also posted information about Nancy Guthrie on its social media platforms urging the public to come forward with information.

7. The $1.1 Million Reward

A combined reward of $1.1 million is currently being offered for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery.

• Family reward: Up to $1,000,000 for information leading to her recovery
• FBI reward: $100,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction
• Tips received: More than 1,500 tips had come into the FBI’s tip line as of mid-February

Investigators are encouraging anyone with information — no matter how small it may seem — to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously.

8. Who Has Been Cleared? Setting the Record Straight

Multiple individuals have been falsely accused on social media. Law enforcement has been clear about the status of those connected to the family.

Family Members: All Cleared

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has explicitly stated that none of Nancy Guthrie’s family members — including siblings and their spouses — are considered possible suspects in the case.

Tommaso Cioni, the son-in-law who drove Nancy home that evening, was the last known person to see her. He has not been named as a suspect and cooperated fully with investigators.

Luke Daley and His Mother: Briefly Detained, Not Arrested

A lawyer representing Luke Daley, 37, confirmed that his client and his 77-year-old mother were briefly detained by investigators as part of the broader investigation. Neither was arrested. Neither has been linked to the disappearance. Their lawyer stated both were hopeful Nancy would be returned safely.

9. MISINFORMATION ALERT: The Acid Receipt Claim

FALSE / UNVERIFIED: The claim that police found a receipt for 25 liters of acid and gas masks linked to a trusted relative who met Nancy Guthrie on the afternoon she disappeared is NOT confirmed by any law enforcement source, FBI statement, Pima County Sheriff statement, or credible news outlet.

This specific claim has circulated on social media and in online forums since the story gained national attention. It contains several hallmarks of misinformation designed to exploit high-profile missing persons cases.

Why This Claim Is Dangerous

• It names or implies a specific private individual as a suspect without any verified evidence.
• It could constitute defamation if the named person is innocent.
• It could interfere with the actual investigation by sending law enforcement false leads.
• It exploits public grief over a real missing person to spread fabricated content.

What the Pima County Sheriff Actually Said

Officials from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department have already had to publicly respond to social media speculation in this case, calling such online rumors ‘purely speculative.’ They have cleared family members and have not named any relative as a suspect.

How to Spot Misinformation in Missing Persons Cases

15. Check whether the claim is attributed to an official source — FBI, police, or sheriff’s department.
16. Search multiple credible outlets: NBC, CBS, CNN, ABC, NPR, Fox News. If none report it, treat it with extreme skepticism.
17. Be wary of claims that emerge on social media with no accompanying official press release or news conference.
18. Sharing unverified claims about suspects in real cases can cause serious harm to innocent people.

10. Complete Timeline of Events

Date & Time	Event
Jan 31, 2026 — ~9:50 PM	Nancy dropped off at home by son-in-law Tommaso Cioni after dinner and games with family.
Feb 1, 2026 — ~2:30 AM	Nancy’s pacemaker disconnects from phone app; believed to be approximate time of abduction.
Feb 1, 2026 — Morning	Nancy fails to appear for scheduled church livestream. Family grows concerned.
Feb 1, 2026 — ~11:00 AM	Family arrives at home, searches property, finds no trace of Nancy.
Feb 1, 2026 — ~12:00 PM	Family calls 911. Investigation begins. Blood matching Nancy’s DNA found on front porch.
Feb 3–4, 2026	Multiple ransom notes demanding cryptocurrency payments received. Deadlines set.
Feb 4, 2026	Savannah Guthrie posts tearful video plea. President Trump calls Savannah offering federal resources.
Feb 5, 2026	Savannah posts second video directly addressing the possible kidnapper.
Feb 7, 2026	Family signals willingness to pay ransom; demands proof of life.
Feb 9, 2026	Two ransom deadlines pass with no confirmed proof of life from captor.
Feb 10, 2026	FBI Director Kash Patel releases doorbell camera images of masked, armed intruder.
Feb 2026 (ongoing)	DNA from glove near home does not match any FBI database entry. Genealogy testing begins.
Feb 28, 2026	Nancy Guthrie remains missing. Investigation active. Reward stands at $1.1 million.

11. Evidence Summary: What Is Confirmed vs. What Is Not

Evidence Item	Status	Details
Blood on front porch	Confirmed	DNA matched to Nancy Guthrie
Disconnected doorbell camera	Confirmed	Intruder attempted to remove device; covered lens with foliage
Doorbell camera footage	Confirmed	Shows masked, armed intruder on multiple occasions before disappearance
Glove near property	Confirmed	DNA recovered but does not match any FBI database entry
Suspicious vehicle footage	Confirmed	Seen at nearby gas station during the 45-minute abduction window
Ransom notes	Confirmed (origin unverified)	Multiple notes demanded cryptocurrency; authenticity under investigation
Ozark backpack / gun holster	Confirmed (suspect item)	Visible in doorbell footage; unique characteristics being traced
Acid purchase receipt linked to relative	UNVERIFIED — Misinformation	No law enforcement source or credible outlet has confirmed this claim

12. People Also Ask — Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Answer
When did Nancy Guthrie go missing?	She was last seen on the evening of January 31, 2026, at her home in Catalina Foothills, Arizona, and was reported missing on February 1, 2026.
Who is Nancy Guthrie?	Nancy Guthrie is the 84-year-old mother of NBC Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. She lives in Catalina Foothills, a suburb of Tucson, Arizona.
Has a suspect been identified?	No arrest has been made. The FBI released images of a masked intruder but has not publicly named any suspect. Family members have been cleared by Pima County Sheriff.
Is the ‘acid receipt’ story true?	No verified law enforcement source or credible news outlet has confirmed this claim. It is circulating as unverified misinformation online.
What reward is being offered?	The family is offering up to $1 million; the FBI is offering an additional $100,000, bringing the total reward to $1.1 million.
How can I submit a tip?	Call 1-800-CALL-FBI, visit tips.fbi.gov, or call the Pima County Sheriff at 520-351-4900.
Has ransom been paid?	Not publicly confirmed. The family indicated willingness to pay but demanded proof of life first. Multiple ransom deadlines have passed.
What physical evidence exists?	Blood matching Nancy’s DNA on the front porch, a disconnected doorbell camera, doorbell footage of a masked intruder, a glove with unmatched DNA, and surveillance of a suspicious vehicle nearby.

13. How to Submit a Tip

If You Have Information: Please contact authorities immediately. Every tip matters, no matter how small it may seem.

• FBI Tip Line (24/7): 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324)
• FBI Online Tips: tips.fbi.gov
• Pima County Sheriff: 520-351-4900
• Anonymous Tips: Crime Stoppers — cash rewards available for anonymous tips

The FBI’s investigative genetic genealogy process means that even partial DNA information or knowledge of someone who purchased a specific Ozark backpack or gun holster in the Tucson area could be the lead that breaks this case.

14. Sources and Verification

This article is based exclusively on verified reporting from the following sources. Every factual claim is traceable to at least one of these outlets or an official law enforcement statement.

• FBI Official Statements and Press Releases — fbi.gov
• Pima County Sheriff’s Department — Official press conferences and public statements
• NBC News — Primary coverage including Savannah Guthrie’s direct statements
• CBS News — Investigative reporting on evidence details
• CNN — Coverage of ransom notes and investigation status
• ABC News — Reporting on reward and tip line response
• NPR — Background and contextual reporting
• Fox News — Coverage of FBI image release and suspect description

Editorial Note

This article was compiled using only verified information from official law enforcement sources and established news organizations. Claims not traceable to these sources have been explicitly labeled as unverified or misinformation. This publication does not name private individuals as suspects without official confirmation. If new verified information emerges, this article will be updated with a clear notation of the update date and source.