Questions still remain after Today show host Savannah Guthrie‘s mother, Nancy Guthrie, was reported missing.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the news on February 1, sharing a missing person report via X. Nancy was described as a “vulnerable adult” who was last seen “at her residence” within Arizona’s Catalina Foothills area on the evening of January 31. The report noted that it is “unknown what clothing she may be wearing.”
In additional coverage from local news station KOLD, it was revealed that a family member grew concerned about Nancy. (Along with Savannah, Nancy shared daughter Annie and son Camron with late husband Charles, who died at age 49 from a heart attack.)
According to Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, “concerning circumstances found” at Nancy’s home led to homicide detectives getting involved in the search. Savannah’s family confirmed in a statement that they are “working closely with local law enforcement.”
More than one week after Nancy was reported missing, the FBI shared surveillance photos of a potential subject who could be involved in her kidnapping.
Keep scrolling for everything to know about the search for Nancy Guthrie:
When Did Nancy Guthrie Go Missing?
A family member called 911 to report Nancy was missing after she was last seen on January 31. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department later referred to Nancy as a “vulnerable adult.”
The sheriff later noted in a press conference that Nancy has “no cognitive issues at all.”
“She’s very alert, she’s of good, sound mind,” he said, adding Nancy is “not in good” physical health. “I hope we find her safe and sound, but we can’t ignore what’s in front of us.”
It was later revealed that Nancy takes daily medication and that missing a dose could be fatal.
When asked during a press conference on February 3 whether authorities were looking for someone who is “still alive,” Nanos replied, “We hope we are.”
Do Authorities Suspect Foul Play?
Nanos acknowledged there were “some concerns” about what was found at Nancy’s home. When asked whether foul play was suspected in Nancy’s disappearance, Nanos clarified that he was “not ruling it out.”
“We’ve pretty much just thrown everything at this that we can,” Nanos added as search and rescue and criminal investigation teams were called in to help. Drones, dogs and a helicopter were also being used to search for Nancy.
In a second press conference, authorities said they could tell Nancy “didn’t leave on her own” and they “don’t see this as a search mission as much” as a crime scene. “She couldn’t walk 50 yards by herself,” they added.
Has Savannah Guthrie Addressed Her Mom’s Disappearance?
Savannah did not appear on the Today show on Monday, February 2, amid the search for her mother. Cohosts Sheinelle Jones and Craig Melvin shared a statement on Savannah’s behalf.
“We want to get right to what is a deeply personal story for us,” Melvin said. “Nancy Guthrie, Savannah’s beloved mother, has been reported missing in Arizona.”
Savannah’s statement noted: “On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers, and messages of support. Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom. We thank law enforcement for their hard work on this case and encourage anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.”
Savannah later took to Instagram with a message asking fans for their prayers.
“We believe in prayer. we believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope. we believe in goodness. we believe in humanity. above all, we believe in Him,” Savannah wrote alongside a “Please Pray” graphic. “Thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant. Raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment.”
Savannah then added a bible verse, writing, “We need you. ‘He will keep in perfect peace those whose hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.’ a verse of Isaiah for all time for all of us.”
The NBC personality concluded, “Bring her home.”
What Has Savannah Guthrie Said About Her Mom on ‘Today’?
Savannah has often spoken about her mother — who even appeared in a segment on a November 2025 episode — on the NBC morning show.
“She’s lived a life of integrity and loyalty,” Savannah said about Nancy in 2022. “She is a consistent doer of the right thing and the hard thing. She’s a truth teller, whether you really want to hear the truth or not. She’s quick and she’s smart, she’s well-read, she’s curious about everything.”
Is There a Motive for Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance?
In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Nanos said the authorities have not identified a motive, such as ransom, for Nancy’s disappearance.
“No, there’s not, we’ve not heard anything like that,” he said. “I wish somebody would call us and say, ‘Hey,’ because that’s what the family wants. They just want her back. ‘Hey, no questions asked, call us where to come and get her,’ And we’ll do that.”
Was Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance Targeted?
“I think everybody, rightfully so, understands that her daughter Savannah is a national figure out there at least within the news media, and that’s always a possibility,” Nanos told Us. “But we’re not getting that sense, and we keep working with Savannah and her security team to understand any kind of threat or potential threat that they may have been working and we’re just not there.”
Was Blood Found in Nancy Guthrie’s Home After Her Disappearance?
Law enforcement sources told the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday, February 3, that blood had been found in Nancy’s home after she went missing. However, Nanos later clarified that this was not true.
“No, I’m not sure where that came from,” he said during a press conference. “Maybe I said something, and trust me, I’ve said a lot, talked to a lot of people. And some of those comments — on my fault, not the media — may have been distorted or taken out of context.”
Nanos continued, “We’re not confirming whether there was blood in the home or any of that. What we’re saying is we do have evidence that we submitted to DNA labs, actually, through other sources that we use, and they have confirmed that the DNA that we found was in fact, belonged to Nancy, Savannah’s mom, which we were hopeful that it would give us a different profile than just hers, but that’s where we’re at with the DNA. We have other items that we submit for DNA research and see what that comes up, but that was the first submittal we’ve got back, and we’ll continue to wait for lab results, see if we find something else.”
Despite previously denying that blood was found at the scene, Nanos confirmed in a February 5 press conference that blood found on the porch of Nancy’s home “came back” to her after being analyzed.
Nanos denied that there was evidence of forced entry at Nancy’s home.
Authorities Believe Nancy Guthrie Is in ‘Danger’
“We don’t want anybody to lose hope,” Nanos told Us. “But in the same sense, just as there’s hope, there’s also things that point to us that say, ‘This lady’s in danger.’”
Nanos continued, “It does have to do with what was described to us about the scene. I’ve been doing this for 50 years. When something doesn’t sit well, it doesn’t sit well. Something unusual at that house occurred that made us go, ‘Wow … something’s wrong here. Something doesn’t fit.’”
Is There a Reward for Information Related to Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance?
“Reward up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons involved in the disappearance,” a statement from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department read on Facebook. “The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is seeking the public’s assistance with any information related to the disappearance of Mrs. Nancy Guthrie. She was last seen at her home near Skyline and Campbell around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, January 31, 2026.”
The statement concluded, “Any video and photograph information is strongly requested for evaluation and analysis of evidentiary value.”
Special agent Heith Janke later revealed during the press conference on February 5 that a $50,000 reward is being offered.
Savannah Guthrie Withdraws From Winter Olympics Coverage Amid Mom’s Disappearance
Savannah is no longer set to host the 2026 Winter Olympics ceremony amid mom Nancy’s disappearance.
“Savannah will not be joining us at the Olympics as she focuses on being with her family during this difficult time. Our hearts are with her and the entire Guthrie family as the search continues for their mother,” a spokesperson for NBC Sports told Us Weekly in a statement on February 3. “We will share additional information about our Opening Ceremony coverage plans soon.”
FBI Reviews Ransom Note in Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance Case
Nanos told CBS News on February 3 that investigators have analyzed an alleged ransom note sent to a local news station in Arizona.
“It’s like any piece of evidence,” Nanos continued. “You give it to us, you give us a lead, we’re going to look at every aspect of that lead.”
Janke confirmed that the FBI is aware of the ransom letter sent to news outlets, noting that “any action taken on any ransom is ultimately decided by the family.” He also revealed that the FBI arrested an “imposter” trying to “profit” off of the case with a separate, fake ransom note.
Janke noted that the alleged ransom note had an initial deadline of 5 p.m. on February 5. If that deadline was missed, the note offered February 9 as a second option.
According to a local news station, the ransom note sent to several media outlets ordered the family to pay millions of dollars in Bitcoin.
“In the letter, the potential kidnappers demanded that the Guthries pay them $6 million before this Monday,” Tucson ABC affiliate KGUN9 reported.
Police Deny Having a Suspect in Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance
An unverified report from former NewsNation host Ashleigh Banfield stated that Savannah’s brother-in-law and Annie’s husband, Tommaso Cioni, had been identified as a possible person of interest in the case. However, a statement from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department denied having any suspects.
“At this point, investigators have not identified a suspect or person of interest in this case. Detectives continue to speak with anyone who may have had contact with Mrs. Guthrie,” the statement read. “Detectives are working closely with the Guthrie family. While we appreciate the public’s concern, the sharing of unverified accusations or false information is irresponsible and does not assist the investigation.”
The statement concluded, “No suspect or person of interest has been identified at this time.”
Sheriff Believes Nancy Guthrie Is ‘Alive’ Amid Disappearance
Authorities remain hopeful that Nancy will be found alive.
“We have nothing else to go on but the belief that she is here,” Nanos shared in an interview aired on Today on February 4. “She’s present. She’s alive, and we want to save her.”
Nanos added, “The leads we’ve got coming in are critical to us. They’re valuable, and we’re sharing those with the FBI and others.”
What Has the Guthrie Family Said About the Alleged Ransom Note?
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings, Annie and Camron, broke their silence on the reports of an alleged random note.
“We too have heard the reports about a ransom letter in the media,” Savannah said in the clip. “As a family, we are doing everything that we can. We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. 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. Please, reach out to us.”
Sheriff Provides New Details About Timeline of Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance
On January 31, Nancy traveled to a family dinner via an Uber around 5:32 p.m. local time, Nanos revealed on February 5. She was later dropped off by family at her home at 9:48 p.m. Authorities confirmed that the garage door closed at 9:50 p.m.
At 1:57 a.m. on February 1, Nancy’s doorbell camera was disconnected. Later, at 2:12 a.m., software detected something on camera, but footage is not available. Nanos stated that the movement may have been an animal.
Around 2:28 a.m., Nancy’s pacemaker app showed that the device had been disconnected from her phone.
Nancy’s family placed a 911 call around 12:03 p.m. on February 1. Shortly after, police arrived and began search-and-rescue protocol.
FBI Addresses ‘New Message’ Received From Alleged Kidnappers
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI released a joint statement on February 7, addressing a new message regarding Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. Arizona station 13 News initially received the message and then forwarded it to law enforcement.
“The FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department are aware of a new message regarding Nancy Guthrie,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said in a statement. “Investigators are actively inspecting the information provided in the message for its authenticity.”
Nanos went on, “While this is one new piece of information, the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department are still asking anyone with tips to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. The FBI continues to offer a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the recovery of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.”
Savannah Guthrie and Siblings Respond to New Message
One day after law enforcement received a new message allegedly related to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, her children Savannah, Camron and Annie Guthrie offered to pay to bring their mother home.
“We received your message and we understand,” Savannah said in a new video shared via her Instagram on February 7, while holding hands with her siblings.
The Today host added, “We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us and we will pay.”
Savannah Guthrie’s Family Requests Police at Nancy Guthrie’s Home for Safety Reasons
“At the request of the Guthrie family, PCSD will maintain a presence at Nancy Guthrie’s residence for security,” the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement on February 8. “Media & the public are reminded to follow all traffic & private property laws. No trespassing is allowed on the Guthrie property. Violations are subject to enforcement.”
Savannah Guthrie Shares New Statement Pleading for Nancy Guthrie’s Return
Three and a half hours before the February 9 deadline given in a ransom note, Savannah shared a new video pleading for Nancy’s safe return.
“I just wanted to come on and share some thoughts as we enter into another week of this nightmare,” she said before thanking viewers for their prayers. “We believe that somehow, some way, [Nancy] is feeling these prayers and that God is lifting her even in this moment and in this darkest place. We believe our mom is still out there.”
Savannah then asked viewers for help in bringing Nancy home.
“We need your help. Law enforcement is 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,” Savannah continued. “So, I’m coming on just to ask you, not just for your prayers, but no matter where you are, even if you’re far from Tucson, if you see anything, you hear anything, if there’s anything at all that seems strange to you, that you report to law enforcement.”
Savannah added that the search for Nancy is in an “hour of desperation.”
In the caption, Savannah wrote, “Please. Bring her home. We need you. She needs you. All of you.”
Authorities Are Investigating ‘New Leads’ in Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance
On February 9, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department announced via social media that they were expanding their search for Nancy Guthrie after acquiring new leads.
“Many of you observed an active presence at the Guthrie residences over the weekend. That activity will continue tonight and into tomorrow as part of the ongoing investigative process, including the expansion of the search and follow-up on new leads,” the statement read. “This is all part of the investigative process, as the search for Nancy expands and new leads come in.”
Details about the new developments in the case were not publicly revealed at the time in order “to preserve the integrity of this criminal investigation.”
The FBI will remain involved as they handle “all aspects related to any ransom note(s) or communications involving the Guthrie family.”
FBI Releases New Surveillance Images
Multiple photos were released to the public on February 10, showing a person standing outside of Nancy’s home wearing a ski mask.
“New images in the search for Nancy Guthrie,” FBI Director Kash Patel tweeted. “Over the last eight days, the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department have been working closely with our private sector partners to continue to recover any images or video footage from Nancy Guthrie’s home that may have been lost, corrupted, or inaccessible due to a variety of factors – including the removal of recording devices. The video was recovered from residual data located in backend systems.”
The post continued, “Working with our partners – as of this morning, law enforcement has uncovered these previously inaccessible new images showing an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door the morning of her disappearance. Anyone with information, please contact 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit http://tips.fbi.gov.”
Police Detain Subject for Questioning and Rio Rico Location Searched
A person was detained by authorities in relation to the investigation. Sheriff Chris Nanos shared via X on February 10, “Earlier today, Pima County Sheriff’s Department deputies detained a subject during a traffic stop south of Tucson. The subject is currently being questioned in connection to the Nancy Guthrie investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.”
In the hours that followed, police launched a “court-authorized search” of a Rio Rico location. The sheriff’s office shared a statement with Us at the time, confirming that the operation was “expected to last several hours.”
Rio Rico is 60 miles south of the Catalina Foothills where Nancy resides. The man who was detained, Carlos Palazuelos, was later released after being questioned by authorities and denied being involved in Nancy’s disappearance.
Investigators Locate a Pair of Gloves in Search for Nancy Guthrie’s Mom
Investigators told NBC Tucson affiliate KVOA on February 11 that a pair of black gloves were located in the expanded search for her mom, with the gloves later being submitted for DNA analysis.
TMZ Releases New Video Amid Ongoing Search for Nancy Guthrie
On February 12, TMZ released a video of a person wearing and carrying backpacks around the time of Nancy’s disappearance. According to the outlet, the backpack that the person is carrying appeared to have similar reflective straps as the backpack showed in a previous video released by the FBI. This latest clip was recorded 5 miles from Nancy’s home, TMZ reported. The outlet claimed that the FBI is “actively investigating the video, along with lots of other leads.”
FBI Reportedly Enlists Help From Investigator in Bryan Kohberger Case
The FBI reportedly enlisted help from an investigator who worked on the case of Bryan Kohberger, who pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary after the Idaho University murders. Kohberger was sentenced to four lifetimes in prison without the possibility of parole.
“BREAKING: We have a good clue about what just happened at Nancy Guthrie’s home. FBI experts on video, imagery and physical science [were] seen carrying video forensics equipment into the tent. A prominent member of this team has worked other high-profile cases including the Bryan Kohberger investigation,” Fox News reporter Michael Ruiz wrote via X on February 12.
Ruiz continued, “Photos obtained by Fox News Digital appear to show investigators left carrying a diagram with human heights. I believe this expert may have been on scene to compare physical conditions to the Nest video in order to develop a suspect description.”
New Note Demands Payment in Exchange for Information on Person Who May Have Abducted Nancy
TMZ revealed on February 11 that they allegedly received a note around 5 a.m. PT from someone who claimed to have information on the person who abducted Nancy. The sender alleged that they tried to get in touch with Savannah and her siblings but was unsuccessful.
“If they want the name of the individual involved then I want 1 Bitcoin to the following wallet. Time is more than relevant,” the alleged message read.
TMZ forwarded the note to the FBI.
The outlet reported that the Bitcoin address included for payment in the new message is not the same as the one sent in previous ransom notes received by local news stations.
The following day, TMZ reported that a second message was sent just after 8 a.m. PT. The sender allegedly wrote, “I am not being taken seriously.”
The outlet noted that the message was “ominous.”
FBI Releases New ‘Identifying Details’ About Potential Suspect
The FBI revealed new details about a possible suspect caught on surveillance camera in front of Nancy’s home.
“Today, the FBI is increasing its reward up to $100,000 for information leading to the location of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance,” FBI Phoenix shared via X on February 12. “New identifying details about the suspect in the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie have been confirmed after a forensic analysis of the doorbell camera footage by the FBI’s Operational Technology Division.”
According to detectives, the suspect is described as a “male, approximately 5’9” – 5’10” tall, with an average build. In the video, he is wearing a black, 25-liter ‘Ozark Trail Hiker Pack’ backpack.”
Arizona Sheriff and the FBI Battle Over Evidence
Reuters reported on February 12 that the FBI requested physical evidence, including a newly discovered glove, to be sent to the bureau’s crime lab in Virginia for processing, but the sheriff’s department instead sent the evidence to a lab in Florida, delaying the FBI’s ability to aid the investigation.
Sheriff Chris Nanos later shut down the accusations.
“The FBI just wanted to send the one or two they found by the crime scene, closest to it — mile, mile and a half,” he told local outlet KVOA. “I said ‘No, why do that? Let’s just send them all to where all the DNA exist, all the profiles and the markers exist.’ They agreed [that it] makes sense. When this is all done with, offer your critiques all you want, but right now we have work to do.”
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