Savannah Guthrie agrees to pay ransom for mother's safe return

NBC News anchor pleads with kidnappers to release her mother unharmed

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Savannah Guthrie, the co-anchor of NBC's Today show, has agreed to pay a ransom demanded by kidnappers who have taken her mother hostage in Guthrie's hometown of Guthrie, Oklahoma. Guthrie has publicly pleaded for her mother's safe return, saying she is willing to meet the ransom demands to ensure her mother's safety.

Why it matters

The high-profile kidnapping of Savannah Guthrie's mother has shocked the nation and raised concerns about the safety of public figures and their families. It also highlights the difficult decisions faced by victims of ransom demands, as they must weigh the risks of paying off criminals against the potential harm to their loved ones.

The details

According to the local news report, Guthrie's 68-year-old mother was abducted from her home in Guthrie, Oklahoma on February 6th. The kidnappers have demanded a ransom payment of $500,000 in exchange for her safe return. Guthrie has stated publicly that she is willing to pay the ransom to ensure her mother's safety, though authorities have cautioned that doing so may only encourage further criminal behavior.

  • Guthrie's mother was abducted from her home on February 6, 2026.
  • The kidnappers have demanded a $500,000 ransom payment.

The players

Savannah Guthrie

The co-anchor of NBC's Today show, whose mother has been taken hostage by kidnappers in Guthrie, Oklahoma.

Guthrie's mother

A 68-year-old woman who was abducted from her home in Guthrie, Oklahoma and is being held for ransom by unknown kidnappers.

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What they’re saying

“I am pleading with the kidnappers to release my mother unharmed. Her safety is my top priority, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to bring her home.”

— Savannah Guthrie (KFOR 4 Oklahoma City)

What’s next

Authorities are working to track down the kidnappers and negotiate Guthrie's mother's safe return. The judge overseeing the case will decide on Friday whether to allow the ransom payment to be made.

The takeaway

This high-profile kidnapping case highlights the difficult decisions and emotional turmoil faced by victims of ransom demands, as they must weigh the risks of paying off criminals against the potential harm to their loved ones. It also raises broader questions about the safety of public figures and their families in the face of such criminal threats.