Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC News anchor Savannah Guthrie, was abducted from her home in Tucson, Arizona, last weekend, sparking a high-profile investigation and emotional family appeals that have drawn national attention.
Guthrie was last seen on Saturday evening, February 1, 2026, when family members dropped her off at her Catalina Foothills residence around 9:30 PM local time. Early Sunday morning, security devices were tampered with: a doorbell camera was disconnected, motion was detected near her home, and the app on her implanted pacemaker lost connection with her phone by 2:28 AM. These events prompted concern, and when church members noticed her absence Sunday morning, a 911 call initiated a search involving volunteers and federal Border Patrol agents.
Investigators found blood on Guthrie’s porch, confirmed through analysis to be hers, raising alarms about her health as she requires medication for survival and suffers from constant pain. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos stated that she “didn’t go willingly,” treating the case as a suspected kidnapping. The mystery deepened when local media, including KOLD-TV, received ransom notes; one demanded money with deadlines on Thursday and Monday, containing specific details about her Apple watch and property floodlights.
In response, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings released heartfelt video messages pleading with the abductors. “We are ready to talk,” Savannah said, urging for proof that her mother is alive. Her brother Camron echoed this, emphasizing the family’s desperation for contact. The FBI is investigating the ransom notes and has arrested one individual for a fake note, though the main perpetrator remains unidentified.
Law enforcement experts provide context on such rare kidnappings for ransom in the U.S. Scott Tillema, a retired SWAT negotiator, noted that these cases often involve premeditation, while Scott Walker, a kidnapping negotiation author, highlighted the importance of patience and establishing trust. Calvin Chrustie of Critical Risk Team warned that intense media coverage can give kidnappers leverage, complicating negotiations and endangering the victim.
National media has descended on the quiet Arizona suburb, with the story dominating headlines. U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the case, calling it a “very unusual situation” and suggesting clues are being followed. Authorities have offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and continue to urge the public to avoid spreading misinformation.
As of February 7, 2026, the investigation remains active with no suspects identified. Savannah Guthrie has stepped back from her broadcasting duties, including Olympic coverage, to focus on her family. The community and nation await developments, hoping for Nancy Guthrie’s safe return while grappling with the unsettling mystery of her disappearance.
