Patty Morin Offers Hope in Challenging Times

Patty Morin spent eight difficult months worrying about whether her daughter’s murderer would ever be caught. A change came when a detective spoke to her, providing a glimmer of hope. Just two months later, Victor Martinez-Hernandez was apprehended.

Now, 16 weeks into the investigation of Nancy Guthrie’s case, Morin shares a message of hope with another family enduring similar agony.

‘Four months and they have nothing — they have nothing that they’ve shared with us,’ Morin said. ‘It doesn’t mean they don’t have anything, especially if they’re working with multiple agencies.’

Law enforcement efforts to locate Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of journalist Savannah Guthrie, continue after her disappearance from her Tucson home on February 1, 2026.

Rachel Morin, Morin’s daughter, was killed on a Maryland running trail. The suspect, who had fled El Salvador, left behind DNA evidence linked to other crimes, including a rape case in California. Police arrested him at a bar in Tulsa.

Monday marked the completion of four months since Guthrie’s abduction. As the mother of ‘Today’ co-host Savannah Guthrie, she remains unreachable, with no identified suspects.

Before a suspect emerged in her daughter’s case, Morin explained how a detective reassured her. Speaking to Patty Morin during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, he offered encouragement during uncertain times.

‘I understand how you’re feeling, but just have hope. Don’t let your emotions carry you away,’ the detective said.

These words offered comfort to Morin, who now repeats them to herself and offers the same advice to the Guthrie family.

The Pima County Sheriff, Chris Nanos, informed NBC that DNA results connected to the Guthrie case might take months to process. Mixed and hair samples are being examined, one of which was transferred to the FBI from a private lab in Florida.

Law enforcement has used technology such as a Bluetooth signal detector and has recovered video from a missing Nest doorbell camera. A $1.2 million reward exists for information leading to a breakthrough.

Morin encourages anyone with information to come forward. Sources close to the investigation suggest that even small tips could be critical.

For those with any information, contact 1-800-CALL-FBI for anonymous tips or Tucson’s hotline at 1-520-882-7463.