Savannah Guthrie Recalls Childhood 'Kidnappings' as Search for Missing Mom Continues

A resurfaced passage from Savannah Guthrie's 2024 memoir describes playful childhood 'kidnappings' as the search for her mother, Nancy Guthrie, continues.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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As the search for Savannah Guthrie's 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, enters its fourth week, a surprising detail has resurfaced from Savannah's 2024 memoir. In the book, Savannah describes going to visit her cousins in Phoenix as a child and how her cousin Teri would orchestrate 'kidnappings' of Savannah and her sister, with the girls calling their mother from a pay phone to say they had been taken. However, those memories now read differently in light of the current search for Nancy, who disappeared from her Tucson home on January 31 and is believed to have been abducted.

Why it matters

The resurfaced childhood memories provide an interesting contrast to the ongoing search for Savannah's mother, which authorities believe was an actual abduction. The 'kidnappings' described in Savannah's memoir were playful, but the current situation is much more serious, with the FBI and local law enforcement investigating Nancy's disappearance and multiple ransom notes being sent to media outlets.

The details

Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen at her home around 9:30 p.m. on January 31 after being dropped off by her daughter Annie Guthrie and her son-in-law Tommaso Cioni. The following morning, she failed to show up at a friend's house to watch a streaming church service and was reported missing. The Pima County Sheriff's Department and the FBI are leading the investigation and believe Nancy didn't leave voluntarily and was likely taken from her home against her will. Multiple ransom notes have been sent to media outlets, including TMZ, which first reported receiving one on February 3, but it hasn't been confirmed they came from her alleged abductors. Surveillance footage released by the FBI shows a masked individual outside her home shortly before her disappearance, and investigators have said they're analyzing biological evidence found at the scene. So far, no suspects have been identified and no arrests have been made.

  • Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home around 9:30 p.m. on January 31.
  • The following morning, Nancy failed to show up at a friend's house to watch a streaming church service and was reported missing.

The players

Savannah Guthrie

A 57-year-old television journalist and co-anchor of the Today show, who is the daughter of the missing Nancy Guthrie.

Nancy Guthrie

Savannah Guthrie's 84-year-old mother, who disappeared from her Tucson home on January 31 and is believed to have been abducted.

Annie Guthrie

Savannah Guthrie's sister, who dropped their mother Nancy off at her home on the night she disappeared.

Tommaso Cioni

Annie Guthrie's husband, who was with her when they dropped off Nancy Guthrie on the night she disappeared.

Teri

Savannah Guthrie's cousin, who was approximately 20 years older than her and would orchestrate the 'kidnappings' of Savannah and her sister when they were children.

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What they’re saying

“Mom! Cousin Teri kidnapped us to take us to her house!”

— Savannah Guthrie (Savannah Guthrie's 2024 memoir)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow any suspects out on bail.

The takeaway

The resurfaced childhood memories of 'kidnappings' provide an interesting contrast to the current serious situation, highlighting how the search for Nancy Guthrie has taken on a much more ominous tone as authorities believe she was abducted from her home against her will.