The investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has now taken an international turn, with federal authorities exploring the possibility of a cross-border abduction. The FBI is working closely with Mexican officials as part of an expanding effort to locate the 84-year-old, who vanished from her Tucson home earlier this month.
Nancy Guthrie, mother of Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing on February 1, 2026, from her residence in Tucson’s Catalina Foothills. As the search nears its third week, investigators are no longer ruling out the possibility that she may have been transported across the U.S.-Mexico border.
FBI Expands Search to Mexico Following Ransom Communication
According to updated reports by TMZ, citing law enforcement sources, the FBI has formally contacted federal authorities in Mexico to assist in tracking Guthrie’s whereabouts. While officials caution that it is too early to confirm any credible leads, agencies on both sides of the border — including local police departments — are coordinating efforts.
Early in the investigation, authorities reviewed Border Patrol surveillance cameras and electronic monitoring systems. At that time, there was no evidence suggesting Guthrie had been taken into Mexico immediately after the alleged abduction. However, investigators now acknowledge that she could have been moved at a later stage, noting that certain methods of crossing the border may evade detection.
The decision to broaden the search reportedly follows a new ransom email that allegedly contains graphic threats, references to a cross-border kidnapping, and a new cryptocurrency account number. Although the authenticity of the message remains unverified, investigators are examining its contents closely. Law enforcement sources indicate that cryptocurrency transactions are sometimes associated with organized criminal activity due to their relative anonymity.
How the Cartel Theory Emerged
Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was taken against her will during the overnight hours of February 1. Evidence collected at the scene — including traces of blood and doorbell camera footage showing a masked, armed individual — led officials to classify the case as an abduction. Despite 18 days of investigative work, no suspect or person of interest has been publicly identified.
As official updates have remained limited, online speculation has intensified. Social media users have pointed to Tucson’s proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border as a factor that could support a cross-border kidnapping theory. Some discussions have referenced the Sinaloa Cartel, a powerful transnational criminal organization known for its involvement in global drug trafficking. However, authorities have not confirmed any cartel involvement in the case.
Arrests of Kayla Noel Day and Luke Daley Draw Attention
The cross-border speculation gained further traction following the detention of Kayla Noel Day and Luke Daley on February 12, 2026. Law enforcement officials have not publicly disclosed the specific charges against the pair. Unverified online reports claim the two may have had prior associations connected to a 2025 drug trafficking indictment.
At this stage, no official evidence has been released linking Day or Daley to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. Nevertheless, their arrests and alleged backgrounds have fueled public curiosity about whether their cases could intersect with the ongoing investigation.
DNA Evidence Yields No Immediate Match
In a recent development, DNA recovered from a glove found approximately two miles from Guthrie’s home failed to match any profiles in CODIS, the FBI’s national DNA database of known offenders. The glove had been considered a significant piece of potential evidence.
With conventional forensic avenues producing limited results, the FBI has confirmed it will turn to Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG). The technique will be used to analyze DNA collected from the discarded glove and other items recovered from Guthrie’s residence, including a T-shirt found near blood traces.
While IGG is a more complex and time-intensive process than traditional DNA testing, experts say it has the potential to identify relatives of unknown suspects and generate new investigative leads.
As the case enters its third week, authorities continue to pursue all possible angles, including the cross-border kidnapping theory. Officials urge the public to rely on verified information as the investigation remains active and ongoing.
