TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) – A week has passed since “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother, 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, vanished from her home in Tucson, Arizona. Authorities have classified the disappearance as a kidnapping, and investigations continue as law enforcement examines ransom notes and searches for clues without having named any suspects.
Family members last saw Nancy Guthrie on January 31 at 9:48 p.m. after a family dinner and games. The following day, concerns arose when she did not attend church, prompting her relatives to check on her, leading to the report of her missing. Given that Nancy has a pacemaker and requires daily medication, her family is increasingly worried about her deteriorating health.
Authorities believe that Nancy was taken from her home in what is described as an upscale neighborhood characterized by hilly, desert terrain. DNA tests confirmed that blood found on her front porch matched hers. Investigators discovered that her doorbell camera had been disconnected early Sunday, and software data indicated movement at her home shortly thereafter. However, due to a lack of an active subscription to the service, officials have not been able to recover the footage. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos mentioned the ongoing efforts to access the images, despite the challenges posed by technology.
In terms of evidence collection, law enforcement is taking ransom notes seriously, with multiple media organizations reporting they received purported messages related to the case. These notes contained demands for money with specified deadlines. One note even referenced features at Nancy’s home, such as a floodlight and an Apple watch. Authorities have confirmed the authenticity of some notes but arrested an individual after one turned out to be fake. On Friday, KOLD-TV in Tucson reported receiving another email concerning the case, which the FBI is currently verifying.
With Nancy’s health being a top concern, her family has made public appeals. Savannah Guthrie recorded emotional messages directed at whoever is holding her mother, entreating for proof of Nancy’s well-being. She highlighted the modern dangers of deepfake technology, emphasizing that the family needs indisputable evidence to confirm her mother’s safety. Savannah described Nancy as a “kind, faithful, loyal, fiercely loving woman of goodness and light,” sharing that the family would not rest until they are reunited.
President Donald Trump has also taken an interest in the case, reaching out to Savannah Guthrie to offer support. The administration announced that federal authorities are engaged in the investigation, and Trump mentioned to reporters that the inquiry is progressing “very well” with promising leads.
The high-profile nature of Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapping has captured significant public attention, drawing parallels to other notorious abductions in U.S. history, such as those involving Frank Sinatra’s son and the granddaughter of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. Public and media interest continues to grow as investigations move forward in the hope of safely locating Nancy Guthrie.
