Nancy Guthrie (born January 27, 1942) is an American missing person who, at the age of 84, was reported missing from her home in the Catalina Foothills area north of Tucson, Arizona, on February 1, 2026. The Pima County Sheriff's Department, which is leading the investigation, stated that evidence found at her residence indicated foul play and a likely abduction. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Customs Border and Protection, homicide investigators, and search-and-rescue personnel have since been brought into the case. Family members and authorities stated that Guthrie has no known cognitive impairments, but does have mobility limitations and requires daily medication that she cannot survive without. Nancy Guthrie is the mother of television journalist and NBC's Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. According to law enforcement, Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home on the evening of January 31, 2026, at approximately 9:30 p.m. The residence is located in the Catalina Foothills area near East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue. She was reported missing on February 1, 2026, after a family member became concerned when she did not arrive at church as expected. == Background == Nancy Guthrie is an 84-year-old woman who was described as being approximately 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) tall, weighing around 150 pounds (68 kg), with brown hair and blue eyes. Guthrie has lived in the Tucson area for over five decades, having moved there with her family in the early 1970s. She was married to Charles Guthrie until his death in 1988. She has three adult children: Savannah, Annie, and Camron. She is described by her family as mentally sharp and independent; she lived alone in her Catalina Foothills home. At 84, she has some physical ailments and limited mobility, and requires daily medication for a chronic condition. Despite her age, Guthrie remained active in her community and was a regular churchgoer. == Disappearance == Guthrie was last seen at her home in the Catalina Foothills, just outside Tucson on the evening of Saturday, January 31, 2026. She was dropped off by her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, at around 9:30 p.m. Tommaso, Annie's husband, is the last known person to see Nancy. That next morning, Guthrie did not arrive for a scheduled church service, prompting concern. A member of her church contacted the family to report that Nancy had not shown up as expected. Alarmed, her relatives went to her house around 11 a.m. to check on her. They searched the home and property but found no sign of Guthrie. At approximately noon, the family called 9-1-1 and reported Nancy Guthrie missing to the Pima County Sheriff's Department. Deputies who responded noted that Guthrie's personal belongings (such as her phone and other items) were still at the house, and there were no indications that she had simply wandered off given her limited mobility. The immediate circumstances were concerning enough that law enforcement treated the situation as more than a routine missing-person case. == Investigation == Local, state, and federal authorities launched an extensive search following Guthrie’s disappearance. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department deployed search-and-rescue teams, including K-9 units, drones, and aerial resources, with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Despite these efforts, no trace of Guthrie was located, and by February 2, 2026, authorities announced that the case had transitioned from a search operation to a criminal investigation. Sheriff Chris Nanos stated that evidence found at Guthrie's residence indicated foul play, leading investigators to treat the home as a crime scene and to involve homicide detectives. Law enforcement officials asserted that Guthrie did not leave the residence voluntarily, describing the circumstances as consistent with an abduction or kidnapping. Due to the suspicious nature of the case, the Federal Bureau of Investigation joined the investigation to provide additional resources. Authorities described Guthrie as a vulnerable adult due to her age, mobility limitations, and reliance on daily medication, while emphasizing that she had no known cognitive impairments. === Crime scene === Investigators confirmed that blood was found at or near the entrance of the home, and forensic testing later determined that DNA collected at the scene belonged to Guthrie, though officials declined to comment on the extent of any injuries or the precise source of the blood. Videos by media outlets on the scene displayed what appeared to be a trail of blood near the front door. Law enforcement also reported signs of forced entry, personal items left behind, and the removal of a doorbell security camera, all of which contributed to the assessment that Guthrie was taken from her home against her will. Officials have stated that the scene has been processed and that forensic analysis remains ongoing. === Alleged ransom note(s) === Multiple media outlets reported receiving separate alleged ransom notes in connection with Guthrie’s disappearance. On February 2, 2026, KOLD-TV, a CBS affiliate in Tucson, reported that it had received a letter demanding payment for Guthrie’s release; CBS News said investigators reviewed the letter, took it seriously, and shared it with the FBI, though authorities declined to confirm its authenticity. The note was reported to contain specific details about Guthrie’s home and what she was wearing on the night she disappeared, and investigators requested that its contents not be publicly disclosed. The following day, TMZ publicly reported that it had received an alleged ransom note demanding millions of dollars in Bitcoin, which included a specific cryptocurrency address and a deadline. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department acknowledged awareness of reports regarding possible ransom notes and stated that all tips and materials were being forwarded to detectives coordinating with the FBI. The validity of the ransom notes was neither confirmed nor denied. === Continued investigation === Investigators reviewed surveillance footage, digital evidence, and neighborhood camera systems, and canvassed nearby residences and surrounding areas. As of February 4, 2026, no suspects or arrests had been announced, and Guthrie's whereabouts remain unknown. The investigation remains active, with authorities continuing to pursue leads and solicit tips from the public. == Response == After responding to the residence, investigators stated that conditions inside the home were "very concerning" and inconsistent with a voluntary disappearance. Based on the evidence observed, the Pima County Sheriff's Department began treating the home as a crime scene and involved homicide investigators alongside deputies conducting search efforts. Authorities indicated they did not believe she left the residence on her own. Law enforcement later stated that search activity was paused at times to allow personnel to rest while the investigation continued. Officials reported that, based on the information available, there was no indication of a threat to the general public. Savannah Guthrie has stepped away from her NBC duties, which was to include co-hosting the opening ceremonies of the 2026 Winter Olympics, to assist in her mother’s search. In a statement, she thanked law enforcement and members of the public for their support and urging anyone with information about her mother's whereabouts to contact authorities. As of February 4, 2026, Nancy Guthrie has not been publicly located, and the investigation remains ongoing. === Banfield's reporting === Journalist Ashleigh Banfield reported that a high-level law enforcement source told her investigators were examining the possible involvement of Nancy Guthrie’s son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, and provided additional details about evidence at the crime scene, including disabled security cameras, blood found inside the home, and a rear door left open. Banfield emphasized that the information was preliminary and subject to change. Tommaso and his wife, Annie, have since been photographed by paparazzi, seen covering their faces. In response, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department issued a public statement saying that no suspect or person of interest had been identified, warning that the circulation of unverified accusations could hinder the investigation. Authorities confirmed they are continuing to interview individuals connected to the case, process forensic evidence, and coordinate with federal agencies, while declining to comment on specific investigative leads. === White House response === The White House posted on their social media page information about Nancy Guthrie, calling on people to report any information. Following an interview with NBC's Tom Llamas, President Donald Trump called Savannah on February 4, 2026, offering additional federal resources and wishing for her mother's safe recovery. On the call, Savannah thanked President Trump and law enforcement, adding that her family is devastated and praying. === Family response === Savannah publicly addressed her mother’s disappearance in a tearful video statement shared on social media on February 4, 2026. She appeared alongside her siblings, Annie and Camron Guthrie. In the statement, Savannah said that the family was aware of reports regarding a ransom letter and addressed the individual responsible for her mother’s disappearance, stating that the family was “ready to talk.” She added that, given the ease with which voices and images can be manipulated, the family needed confirmation that Nancy Guthrie was alive and being held, saying, “We want to hear from you, and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us.” == References ==