TUCSON, Arizona (AP) — It has been a week since Savannah Guthrie, the host of the “Today” show, reported her mother, Nancy Guthrie, missing from her home in Tucson, Arizona. Authorities suspect that she may have been kidnapped. Investigators are currently examining ransom notes and gathering evidence, but no suspects have been identified at this time.
On Friday, law enforcement officials returned to Nancy’s residence and the surrounding neighborhood to continue their search efforts. According to family members, the last known sighting of Nancy Guthrie, who is 84 years old, was at 9:48 p.m. on January 31, when they dropped her off at home after spending time together. Family members reported her missing the following day after discovering she had not attended church.
Nancy Guthrie's health has become a significant concern for her family and authorities, as she has a pacemaker and requires daily medication. They fear her condition may be worsening with each passing day.
Investigators believe Nancy was forcibly taken from her home, situated in an upscale neighborhood characterized by hilly desert terrain. The Pima County Sheriff's Department reported that DNA tests confirmed blood found on Nancy’s front porch belonged to her. Additionally, they discovered that her doorbell camera had been disconnected early Sunday morning. Software data indicated that movement was detected at the home soon after, but investigators have been unable to retrieve footage since Nancy did not have an active subscription to the service.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos expressed frustration about the difficulties of accessing the vital images, stating that such technology is not as straightforward as it might seem.
In a collaborative effort, the president of the Catalina Foothills Association, a local neighborhood group, issued a letter thanking residents for their willingness to cooperate with law enforcement, share security camera footage, and permit searches of their properties.
At least three media organizations reported receiving purported ransom notes, which they submitted to investigators. The sheriff confirmed that at least one of these notes turned out to be fake, leading to an arrest. Details from the ransom notes reportedly included demands for money with specific deadlines, along with references to items at Nancy's home, such as a floodlight and an Apple Watch.
Authorities are taking these ransom notes seriously. Recently, KOLD-TV in Tucson mentioned that it received a new email message related to the case. The FBI is currently evaluating the authenticity of this latest communication.
Concern for Nancy’s well-being continues to rise, given her dependence on critical medication. To elicit answers from her abductor, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings recorded two separate video appeals, urging for proof of their mother’s safety. In an emotional video message shared on social media, Savannah expressed the need for assurance that Nancy is alive, emphasizing the modern complexities of potential voice and image manipulation.
While the police have not reported receiving any deepfake images of Nancy Guthrie, Savannah characterized her mother as a “kind, faithful, loyal, fiercely loving woman of goodness and light,” who has a vibrant personality.
In a notable turn of events, the FBI has issued a $50,000 reward for any information regarding Nancy’s whereabouts. President Donald Trump has also reached out to Savannah Guthrie, promising federal assistance in the investigation. Recently, he commented to reporters that the investigation is progressing well, stating that investigators have uncovered some strong leads.
This case has captivated public attention, joining the ranks of other infamous kidnappings in U.S. history, such as the abductions of Frank Sinatra’s son and William Randolph Hearst’s granddaughter.
