TUCSON, Arizona, Feb 9 - Savannah Guthrie, a co-anchor on NBC’s "Today" show, addressed the public on social media Monday asking for help in locating her elderly mother, Nancy Guthrie, who disappeared from her Arizona residence more than a week earlier in what investigators believe may be a kidnapping for ransom.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen on Jan. 31 when family members dropped her off at her home near Tucson after sharing a meal, and relatives reported her missing the next day, law enforcement officials said. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has noted that the elder Guthrie had extremely limited mobility and would not have been able to leave the house without assistance, which prompted early investigative conclusions that she had been taken against her will.
At least two apparent ransom notes have been reported in the investigation, with both initially delivered to media outlets. One of those notes contained a deadline that fell on a Friday at 5 p.m., which passed without any confirmed resolution. Authorities and family members say a second apparent ransom note surfaced the following Friday after relatives publicly appealed to the person or persons holding Nancy Guthrie to open a line of direct communication.
In the most recent of four video messages posted to Instagram over recent days, Savannah Guthrie said, "We believe our mom is still out there." She asked the public to report "anything at all that seems strange" that might relate to her mother’s disappearance, adding, "even if you’re far from Tucson." "We are at an hour of desperation," she said in the message, describing law enforcement as "working tirelessly around the clock trying to bring her home, trying to find her. She was taken, and we don’t know where. And we need your help."
Family members issued a strongly worded plea in a video posted on Saturday in which Savannah Guthrie appeared alongside her brother and sister, addressing the presumed captors directly. In that message they implored for the mother's return but did not state explicitly whether they believed Nancy Guthrie was still alive. In the Saturday video, Guthrie said, "This is the only way we will have peace," and added, "This is very valuable to us and we will pay."
Investigators have underscored concerns about Nancy Guthrie’s fragile health and dependence on daily medication, factors that heighten urgency in the search. Nine days into the investigation, authorities said no proof of life had been provided to the family or law enforcement.
Sheriff Nanos confirmed that DNA test results showed that blood found on the porch steps by the front door of the Guthrie residence was that of Nancy Guthrie. He also acknowledged last Thursday that he had fears for her well-being, but stressed the investigative posture: "We operate from a position that until we know, she’s out there, she’s alive, and we’re going to continue thinking that way until we find her." As of Sunday, the sheriff said investigators had not identified any suspects, persons of interest or vehicles connected to the case.
The FBI has joined the investigation and on Thursday offered a $50,000 reward for information that leads to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.
Context and current status
Authorities are treating the event as an apparent abduction based on the victim’s limited mobility and the presence of ransom communications delivered to media outlets. Family appeals and video messages from relatives have been used to attempt to prompt contact from whoever may be holding Nancy Guthrie. Law enforcement agencies, including the Pima County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI, are coordinating the investigation, issuing a reward, and publicly asking for tips from the community and beyond.
What officials and family are asking of the public
- Report any unusual observations or possible information relating to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, even if the tip comes from outside the Tucson area.
- Contact law enforcement with details about suspicious activity, possible communication related to ransom demands, or vehicles and people seen near the Guthrie home around Jan. 31 and the days that followed.
- Provide any verifiable proof of life or evidence that could assist investigators in locating the missing woman.
Authorities are continuing the search and have said they will sustain efforts until there is clearer evidence about Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts or condition. The combination of apparent ransom demands, forensic confirmation of blood at the residence, the elder Guthrie’s medical needs, and the lack of identified suspects has kept the case active and unresolved.