The investigation into the alleged kidnapping of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother, 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, has been underway for more than a month, but there haven’t been many promising updates as the FBI reportedly fears the case could soon become a cold case. However, as the investigation progresses, a former FBI agent outlined some positive news.
While there have been few positive, substantive updates since Guthrie’s disappearance on February 1, retired FBI agent Jennifer Coffendaver recently explained why the presence of federal prosecutors at Guthrie’s home was “good news.”
Nancy Guthrie case ‘unsolved’
The FBI earlier last month released a series of photos and videos from door cameras showing an armed, masked man at the door of Guthrie’s home on the day he disappeared, and presumably the day before.
These images are the most important evidence released to the public. However, TMZ reported this week that the evidence did not yield any major leads in the investigation, leading to concerns that the search was becoming a “cold case.”
Amid these concerns, Savannah Guthrie shared an emotional message on social media in which she acknowledged that her mother was likely dead.
“We also know that she could be lost. She could be gone. She could have returned to the Lord that she loved. She is dancing in heaven with her mom and dad. And her beloved brother Pierce. And our dad. If that’s true, then we’ll accept it,” Savannah Guthrie said.
Separately, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department announced Friday that it would be redeploying many officers transferred from other units back to their original posts, narrowing the search for the missing woman. Now, only detectives directly assigned to the Guthrie case will be involved in the search unless new information or leads lead to another surge.
Former FBI agent shares ‘good news’
As the investigation continues, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona recently posted on Facebook that federal prosecutors accompanied FBI agents to the 84-year-old’s home to “continue to support the investigation into her disappearance.”
Jennifer Cofindaffer, a retired FBI agent and former SWAT team member who now writes for NewsNation, explained that this is actually a positive development.
“This is good news, it means they are involved in the case and they are seeking future federal charges,” Coffendaver told Newsweek.
Coffendaver sees the emergence of federal prosecutors as a significant development because it could be a sign that federal authorities are upholding a statute that presumes abducted people have crossed state lines if they are not released within 24 hours.
That means the case will become a federal investigation, overseen by the FBI. As of now, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department is involved in the investigation. Coffindaffer sees this as a positive development.
“I think there’s probably a degree of inconsistency in what’s going on between the Sheriff’s Office and federal authorities. I think we’re seeing, maybe in some ways, a general lack of trust in the progress of the case now that we’re almost a month in,” Coffendaver told Newsweek . “Maybe it’s time for a change of command, and frankly, that may have already happened. When you see the U.S. Attorney’s Office out there, that’s a very good sign.”
As for the presence of federal prosecutors, Coffendaver said it’s “impossible” for them to routinely visit possible crime scenes, so their presence is telling.
“That tells me they are involved in the case and FBI agents are coordinating the findings with them,” Coffendaver said.
This article was originally published by Men’s Journal on March 2, 2026, and first appeared in the News section. Click here to add Men’s Diary as your go-to source.
