Alleged Ransom Note Demands $6M Bitcoin for Missing Arizona Woman

Authorities continue search for Nancy Guthrie, 84, who disappeared from her Tucson home

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The Pima County Sheriff's Department is investigating an alleged ransom note demanding $6 million in Bitcoin for the return of Nancy Guthrie, 84, who went missing from her Tucson, Arizona home on January 31. The note, received by local news outlets, included a deadline that passed on Monday night. Guthrie's family has made emotional pleas on social media for her safe return, but authorities have not yet confirmed her whereabouts or condition.

Why it matters

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC's "Today" anchor Savannah Guthrie, has garnered national attention. The alleged ransom note and demands add a troubling new dimension to the case, raising concerns about Guthrie's safety and the potential involvement of criminal elements. Authorities are working to verify the authenticity of the note and determine the best course of action to secure Guthrie's safe return.

The details

According to reports, the first alleged ransom note was received by local news outlet KOLD last Monday and by TMZ last Tuesday. The note contained two deadlines, the first of which passed last Thursday at 5:00 p.m. A second deadline was set for Monday night. On Friday, a second alleged statement from the captors was received by 13 News in Tucson, demanding $6 million in Bitcoin. Authorities are analyzing the notes as the search for Nancy Guthrie continues.

  • Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her Tucson home on Saturday, January 31 around 9:30 p.m.
  • The first alleged ransom note was received by local news outlets last Monday and Tuesday, with a Thursday 5:00 p.m. deadline.
  • The second alleged ransom note, received on Friday, set a new deadline for Monday night.

The players

Nancy Guthrie

An 84-year-old woman who went missing from her Tucson, Arizona home on January 31. She is the mother of NBC's "Today" anchor Savannah Guthrie.

Savannah Guthrie

The NBC "Today" anchor and daughter of the missing Nancy Guthrie, who has made emotional pleas on social media for her mother's safe return.

Pima County Sheriff's Department

The local law enforcement agency leading the investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance and the alleged ransom notes.

FBI

The federal law enforcement agency that is assisting the Pima County Sheriff's Department in the investigation, though the local authorities remain the lead.

Kash Patel

The FBI Director, who confirmed federal officials are aware of the ransom note and are working with local authorities.

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What they’re saying

“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 Guthrie, NBC "Today" anchor (Instagram)

“Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you. We haven't heard anything directly. We need you to reach out, and we need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward. But first we have to know that you have our mom. We want to talk to you, and we are waiting for contact.”

— Camron Guthrie, Nancy Guthrie's son (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the alleged captors to post bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the urgent need to locate Nancy Guthrie and verify the authenticity of the ransom notes, as well as the challenges law enforcement faces in dealing with potential scammers taking advantage of high-profile missing person cases. The Guthrie family's emotional pleas for her safe return underscore the human toll of this ordeal.