TMZ Offers Reward for Tips on Nancy Guthrie's Abduction

Gossip site guarantees $50,000 if anonymous tipster provides information leading to grandmother's rescue.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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TMZ has received multiple emails from an anonymous tipster claiming to know the whereabouts of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old grandmother who was abducted from her home in Tucson, Arizona in early February. The tipster is demanding payment in Bitcoin to reveal Guthrie's location, but TMZ has now offered a $50,000 reward if the information leads to her rescue, with the FBI's knowledge.

Why it matters

The abduction of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC News anchor Savannah Guthrie, has captivated national attention and sparked a widespread search effort involving local and federal law enforcement. TMZ's offer of a substantial reward could incentivize the anonymous tipster to come forward with credible information to help locate Guthrie and apprehend her abductors.

The details

The anonymous tipster has emailed TMZ four times, claiming to know where Guthrie is being held, possibly in Mexico, and hinting that multiple captors may be involved. The tipster is demanding payment in Bitcoin, citing a fear that a past burglary arrest may make him a suspect. TMZ has now guaranteed the tipster a $50,000 reward if the information leads to Guthrie's rescue, with the FBI's knowledge and involvement.

  • Nancy Guthrie was last seen alive on January 31, when she had dinner with her daughter and son-in-law.
  • Guthrie was abducted from her home in Tucson, Arizona in the early hours of February 1.
  • The FBI has matched a glove found near Guthrie's home to the masked individual who abducted her.

The players

Nancy Guthrie

An 84-year-old grandmother who was abducted from her home in Tucson, Arizona in early February.

Savannah Guthrie

The daughter of Nancy Guthrie and an anchor for NBC News.

Harvey Levin

The executive producer of TMZ, who has guaranteed a $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie's rescue.

Chris Nanos

The Pima County Sheriff, who has stated that Nancy Guthrie's children and their spouses have been cleared of any wrongdoing in the investigation.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who has promised the death penalty for Nancy Guthrie's abductors.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know if you're real or not, if you're watching this, but if you are—and I have told the FBI that we're going to do this, they know this—that if you're worried about getting this money, and you really do have this information, send it to us.”

— Harvey Levin, Executive Producer, TMZ (TMZ)

“I know what I saw 5 days ago south of the border, and I was told to shut up, so I know who he is, and that was definitely Nancy with them.”

— Anonymous Tipster (TMZ)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the anonymous tipster to receive the $50,000 reward from TMZ if the information he provides leads to Nancy Guthrie's rescue.

The takeaway

This case highlights the lengths that law enforcement and media outlets will go to in order to locate a missing person, even resorting to offering substantial rewards to anonymous tipsters. It also raises questions about the role of the media in assisting with criminal investigations and the potential risks of negotiating with individuals making demands for information.