Nancy Guthrie, Mother of NBC's Savannah Guthrie, Missing in Arizona Amid Kidnapping Investigation
The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of longtime Today show host Savannah Guthrie, has triggered a major investigation in Arizona. Guthrie was reported missing from her home near Tucson on Sunday, February 2, 2026, sparking concerns about her safety and wellbeing.
Authorities Suspect Foul Play in Disappearance
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has confirmed that authorities are treating Guthrie's disappearance as a potential crime, specifically a possible kidnapping or abduction. Investigators believe she was taken from her Catalina Foothills home against her will, potentially during the early morning hours of Sunday.
"We believe she is still out there," Sheriff Nanos stated on Thursday, though authorities have not yet received definitive proof of life. The investigation involves both local sheriff's deputies and federal agents from the FBI.
Timeline of Events and Evidence Collection
Guthrie was last seen by family members on Saturday evening after attending a dinner and game night. She was dropped off at her home at 9:48 p.m. When she failed to appear for church services on Sunday around noon, family members became concerned and went to check on her, discovering her absence.
Key evidence has emerged during the investigation:
- A doorbell camera at Guthrie's home was disconnected at 1:47 a.m. on Sunday
- Software detected movement at the property around 2:12 a.m.
- Guthrie's pacemaker app disconnected from her phone at 2:28 a.m.
- Blood found on the porch was confirmed through DNA testing to belong to Guthrie
Sheriff Nanos dismissed suggestions that this might be a case of someone simply wandering off, noting Guthrie has limited mobility but is of sound mind.
Ransom Notes and Family Pleas
The investigation took a dramatic turn when alleged ransom notes were sent to both local Arizona news station KOLD 13 and national media outlet TMZ. According to reports, these notes contained:
- Specific details that only Guthrie's abductor might know
- Mentions of an Apple watch and floodlight on Guthrie's property
- Demands for substantial amounts of bitcoin
- Two deadlines: 5 p.m. on Thursday and a second deadline the following Monday
FBI Special Agent Heith Janke confirmed authorities are taking these alleged ransom notes seriously. "Every single lead is looked at," Sheriff Nanos emphasized during a press conference.
Family's Emotional Appeals and FBI Reward
In heartfelt videos posted to social media on Wednesday and Thursday, Guthrie's children made emotional pleas for their mother's safe return. Savannah Guthrie directly addressed potential abductors, saying, "We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you, and we are ready to listen."
The family emphasized Guthrie's medical needs, stressing she requires medication to survive. Camron Guthrie, Savannah's brother, added on Thursday, "We haven't heard anything directly. We need you to reach out, and we need a way to communicate with you, so we can move forward."
The FBI has announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to Guthrie's recovery or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance. Authorities have not ruled out any suspects or identified a specific person of interest as the investigation continues.
Nancy Guthrie is described as 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. She was living independently in the Catalina Foothills community north of Tucson at the time of her disappearance.
