FBI Analyzes Alleged Ransom Note in Search for Missing Mom of Today Show Host

Savannah Guthrie's 84-year-old mother Nancy disappeared from her Arizona home, prompting an intensive investigation.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 8:15am

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The FBI has reviewed an alleged ransom note sent to a local news station in Arizona as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie's 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed that authorities are treating Nancy's home as a crime scene and are exploring all leads, including the ransom note, as they search for the missing woman.

Why it matters

The disappearance of Savannah Guthrie's mother has garnered national attention given Savannah's high-profile role as co-anchor of the Today show. The case has also raised concerns about the safety of elderly residents in the Tucson area, with the sheriff noting that an 84-year-old woman was taken from her own home.

The details

According to Sheriff Nanos, the alleged ransom note was received by an unspecified local news station in Arizona one day after Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home on January 31. The FBI has analyzed the note and shared it with Savannah Guthrie, who is in Arizona with her family. Nanos stated that investigators are treating Nancy's home as a crime scene and are exploring all potential leads, though he noted that there are no confirmed suspects at this time.

  • Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home near Skyline and Campbell around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
  • The alleged ransom note was received by a local news station in Arizona one day after Nancy's disappearance.

The players

Savannah Guthrie

The co-anchor of the Today show and the daughter of the missing woman, Nancy Guthrie.

Nancy Guthrie

An 84-year-old woman who went missing from her home in Tucson, Arizona on January 31, 2026.

Chris Nanos

The Pima County Sheriff who is leading the investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.

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What they’re saying

“It's like any piece of evidence. You give it to us, you give us a lead, we're going to look at every aspect of that lead.”

— Chris Nanos, Pima County Sheriff

“We took some samples that […] the FBI decided to share with Savannah, who is in Arizona with her family.”

— Liz Kreutz, NBC News correspondent

What’s next

The sheriff's department has offered a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons involved in Nancy Guthrie's disappearance. Authorities are urging the public to come forward with any video or photographic evidence that could aid the investigation.

The takeaway

The disappearance of Savannah Guthrie's elderly mother has sparked a high-profile investigation and raised concerns about the safety of vulnerable residents in the Tucson area. The case underscores the importance of community vigilance and the need for robust support systems to protect the elderly from potential harm.