A Pacemaker Might Hold the Key to Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance

A high-tech heart device could become the unexpected breakthrough in one of the country’s most chilling missing persons cases.

As the desperate search for Nancy Guthrie stretches into another week, investigators in Arizona are zeroing in on a surprising potential clue: her pacemaker.

The 84-year-old mother of Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie vanished from her Tucson home in the early morning hours of February 1. Now, authorities are working directly with the pacemaker’s manufacturer, hoping the implanted device could help pinpoint what happened in the critical hours before she disappeared.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed Tuesday that investigators are actively trying to locate the device and are collaborating with the manufacturer and outside experts. The hope? That Nancy’s pacemaker may still be emitting a detectable signal — one that could lead authorities closer to her.

Law enforcement sources previously told CBS News that officials have deployed a so-called “signal sniffer,” a piece of technology designed to detect faint transmissions from medical implants. The device was reportedly created by former NSA hacker David Kennedy, who has been assisting in the search.

According to CNN, helicopters have been seen flying unusually low over areas near Nancy’s home in recent days. But there’s a catch. Experts say the signal range is extremely limited — possibly just 30 to 100 feet.

Tracy Walder, a former CIA and FBI agent, described the technology as “new” and “somewhat experimental,” warning it may be difficult to use effectively unless authorities know exactly where to search. “A helicopter has to hover low and slow in one particular area,” she explained. “I don’t think that’s practical. They need to know where they are looking.”

Still, investigators appear determined to exhaust every option.

A Timeline That Raises More Questions

Authorities previously released a haunting timeline of Nancy’s final known movements.

On January 31 at 9:48 p.m., family members dropped her off at home and the garage door opened. Just two minutes later, it closed. That was the last confirmed sighting of her.

Then things turned eerie.

At 1:47 a.m., her doorbell camera was disconnected. At 2:12 a.m., it briefly detected a person. Sixteen minutes later, at 2:28 a.m., Nancy’s pacemaker was disconnected from the monitoring app on her cellphone.

Investigators believe a masked, armed man captured on the doorbell footage abducted her. The FBI’s Phoenix office described the suspect as a white male, approximately 5’9” to 5’10” with an average build, wearing a black 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack.

Despite growing speculation, Sheriff Chris Nanos has publicly ruled out Nancy’s relatives as suspects.

In another twist, gloves found about two miles from Nancy’s home were tested for DNA. Authorities initially believed they resembled those worn by the suspect. But when the profile was run through the national DNA database, there were no matches.

Savannah’s Plea and a $100,000 Reward

Savannah Guthrie has made emotional public appeals, urging “whoever has her or knows where she is” to come forward.

A $100,000 reward is now being offered for information leading to Nancy’s recovery or an arrest.

For now, investigators are betting that a tiny medical device — designed to regulate a heartbeat — could unlock answers in a case that has gripped the nation.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.