Nancy Guthrie case: Where are the Catalina Foothills and why FBI is searching it amid Bitcoin note

FBI says it is conducting an extensive search near Nancy Guthrie’s Tucson home as a note seeking 1 Bitcoin for suspect info came to TMZ.

Updated on: Feb 12, 2026 12:07 AM IST

Share via

Copy link

On Wednesday morning, the FBI's office in Phoenix, Arizona, issued a statement saying that they are conducting an "extensive search" of the Catalina Foothills near Nancy Guthrie's home just outside Tucson.

An investigator looks inside a culvert in the neighborhood where Annie Guthrie, whose mother Nancy Guthrie has been missing for more than a week, lives just outside Tucson, Arizona. (AP)

The search comes on the 11th day since the NBC's Today show host went missing on Sunday, January 31, from her home. The search comes amid a note received by the entertainment news outlet, TMZ. The sender demanded 1 Bitcoin (worth around $66,000, as of Wednesday) to be transferred to a wallet in exchange of information on the purported suspect.

“This morning, numerous FBI agents are conducting an extensive search along multiple roadways in the Catalina Foothills area related to the Nancy Guthrie investigation,” the FBI said.

Where Are The Catalina Foothills?

The Catalina Foothills are a suburban area north and northeast of Tucson, Arizona, along the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains. It includes upscale neighborhoods and winding mountain roads. Nancy Guthrie's house is within a few miles of the Catalina, as reports say she lived just outside Tucson.

Day 11 Search For Nancy Guthrie: What To Know

The search for Nancy Guthrie entered its 11th day on Wednesday. Earlier on Tuesday, the FBI released a photo of a person of interest captured in the door security footage of Nancy Guthrie on the night she disappeared.

Also read: Who is Camron Guthrie? All on Annie and Savannah Guthrie's brother as search for mother continues

In the photo, a masked man could be seen with a revolver placed in the holster. The photo sparked links to Annie Guthrie's husband, Tommaso Cioni, as well as his former bandmate, Dominic Evans. But those links remain unconfirmed. As of now, authorities have not named a suspect, beyond the photos released.

However, later on Tuesday, one individual was taken into custody for questioning and was later released. So far, investigators have not been able to make any headway in the case.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shamik Banerjee
Shamik is a journalist covering the United States for Hindustan Times. He has more than four years of experience reporting on US politics, sports, and major breaking stories across fast-moving cycles. He previously worked at Times Now and Sportskeeda, building strong newsroom instincts and digital storytelling skills. At HT.com, he focuses on day-to-day coverage of US political developments while also handling high-impact stories that demand speed, accuracy, clarity, and context under pressure. Shamik has extensive experience covering NFL game days over the past two years, coordinating live updates, analysis, and explainers. He is particularly drawn to large news moments such as US elections and the Super Bowl, where he thrives at the news desk working alongside the team. He holds degrees in Media Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia and English Literature from Jadavpur University. Before entering journalism, he briefly worked in digital marketing and political consultancy roles. Currently a Senior Content Producer at HT Digital, he is driven by curiosity, discipline, and a constant desire to explore new and obscure topics. Outside work, he enjoys reading, films, sports, and learning continuously.Read More

Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.