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Arizona Investigators Fly RF 'Signal Sniffer' to Hunt Pacemaker Signal in Search for Nancy Guthrie

The low, methodical sweeps target short‑range Bluetooth emissions that could narrow the search despite the implant’s lack of GPS.

Overview

  • A Pima County Sheriff’s Department helicopter was fitted with radio‑frequency detection gear for grid flights over residential areas near Tucson, with the FBI employing similar tools.
  • Digital forensics experts say a pacemaker’s detectable response typically extends only 10–30 meters, requiring high‑gain antennas and very slow passes to allow 10–15 seconds for a reply.
  • Guthrie, 84, was last seen January 31 and reported missing February 1, with investigators citing a disabled doorbell camera at 1:47 a.m. and her pacemaker disconnecting from her phone at 2:28 a.m.
  • Authorities classify the case as a suspected abduction with no proof of life or death to date, and they have released surveillance images and video while coordinating with the FBI.
  • The sheriff’s office reports nearly 18,000 tips and a reward increased to $100,000, while ABC reports blood was found on the porch and ransom notes were sent to news outlets with deadlines that passed.