Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, marked Day 21 in the search for Nancy Guthrie, and while authorities did not announce a major breakthrough, they did provide several concrete updates about what investigators were doing on the ground and where the case stands. FOX 10 Phoenix’s rolling coverage said the Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) and agents were back in the neighborhood canvassing and continuing evidence work, with the case still being treated as an active investigation.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, has been missing since late January from her Tucson-area home, and investigators have said they believe she was taken against her will. FOX 10’s Day 21 update and WRAL’s roundup both reiterated that law enforcement is still searching for a masked male seen on surveillance video near her home, reportedly carrying a backpack.
What investigators said on Feb. 21
The clearest update from Saturday came in a PCSD statement reported by FOX 10: detectives and agents were back in the Guthrie neighborhood canvassing as part of the investigation. The same update said investigators had collected multiple gloves from the area, and that analysis of those items is part of the ongoing case. PCSD added that it would not release specific details because the investigation remains active.
PCSD also said that all crime-scene evidence and evidence from search-warrant scenes had been submitted for analysis, while cautioning that biological evidence processing can be complex, including challenges in separating DNA. The department further said staffing may fluctuate depending on leads, but that “several hundred” law enforcement personnel remain dedicated to the case.
In practical terms, that means Feb. 21 looked like a work-intensive investigative day—canvassing, lab submissions, and follow-up—rather than a day of public-facing revelations.
Tip volume passed 20,000 and officials urged people to call only with actionable information
A second major Day 21 theme was the volume of tips. FOX 10 reported the FBI had received more than 20,000 tips, and the outlet emphasized a public message from dispatch officials: tip lines need credible, actionable information, not speculation.
WRAL similarly reported that local 911 officials were asking callers to avoid submitting opinions and theories, and to focus on specific information investigators can act on. That guidance reflects a common challenge in high-profile cases: massive public attention can produce valuable leads, but it can also overwhelm call centers and slow down triage.
Reward remains above $200,000 combined
FOX 10’s Day 21 coverage and related reporting continued to describe the reward pool as over $200,000 combined, tied to the FBI offer plus non-FBI reward money. WRAL specifically summarized the reward at $202,500 in its Day 21 roundup.
That reward increase remains one of the biggest pressure points in the public phase of the investigation, as authorities and the family hope someone who knows something will come forward.
What did not change on Feb. 21
Despite the visible activity, the case’s core public status remained largely unchanged on Saturday:
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No suspect was publicly identified
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No arrest was announced
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Authorities were still working DNA leads that have not yet produced a direct match in CODIS
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Investigators were continuing to explore genetic genealogy options to try to generate new leads from recovered DNA evidence
CBS News, in an update published Feb. 21, reported investigators had turned to genetic genealogy and noted prior statements from authorities that DNA from gloves found during the investigation did not match entries in CODIS. CBS also reported that officials said the glove DNA did not match other DNA evidence from Guthrie’s property.
Road access changes and search-area management
FOX 10’s Day 21 live update also noted temporary roadway changes near the Guthrie home to accommodate residents and public service vehicles, including barricades and traffic adjustments. The same PCSD update included guidance discouraging private volunteer search groups from entering the area so investigators could work without interference, while noting private property laws still apply.
This points to another reality of the case at three weeks: law enforcement is still actively managing both the investigation itself and the surrounding public interest, which remains intense.
Bottom line for Feb. 21
The Feb. 21 update was not a breakthrough day—it was a sustained-investigation day. Authorities reported renewed canvassing in the neighborhood, collection and analysis of additional gloves, full submission of crime-scene and warrant-scene evidence for lab work, and continued commitment of several hundred personnel. At the same time, officials stressed that tips should be credible and actionable as the total passed 20,000.
In short, the public picture on Day 21 was one of heavy evidence processing and lead triage, with investigators still trying to turn forensic fragments and thousands of tips into a concrete suspect lead.