Tucson, Arizona – A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the whereabouts of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Savannah Guthrie, co-host of NBC’s “Today” show. The announcement, made during a press conference on , comes as the search intensifies for Guthrie, who has been missing since .
Law enforcement officials are investigating the disappearance as a possible kidnapping or abduction, according to statements made earlier this week. The FBI is now working jointly with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department on the case, deploying agents, analysts, and specialized teams from Quantico, Virginia, and Phoenix, Arizona.
The timeline of events, as detailed by Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, indicates that Nancy Guthrie was dropped off at her home in the Catalina Foothills area of Tucson at approximately 9:48 p.m. On . The garage door closed two minutes later. The following day, , a series of concerning events unfolded. At 11:47 a.m., the doorbell camera disconnected. Later, at 2:12 a.m., software detected a person on the camera, though no video is available due to a lack of a service subscription. At 2:28 a.m., a disconnect was registered from Guthrie’s pacemaker app. Family members checked on Guthrie at 11:56 a.m. On , and a 911 call was placed to the sheriff’s office at 12:03 p.m.
Patrol officers arrived at Guthrie’s residence at 12:15 p.m. On . Sheriff Nanos confirmed on that blood found on the porch of the home was confirmed to be Nancy Guthrie’s. However, DNA testing has so far yielded no information regarding potential suspects, and no suspect or person of interest has been identified.
The circumstances surrounding the disappearance have drawn national attention, particularly due to the unusual nature of a ransom note being sent to both CBS affiliate KOLD in Tucson and the entertainment tabloid TMZ. CrimeOnline’s Nancy Grace questioned why the note was sent to media outlets rather than directly to the family, suggesting it raises questions about the authenticity and intent of the communication. “If this ransom note is real,” Grace stated, “why wouldn’t they send it to the family?”
Grace also speculated about the potential involvement of a local individual familiar with both TMZ and KOLD, suggesting the perpetrator may be someone who regularly consumes media from those sources. She emphasized the importance of utilizing technology to trace routes from Guthrie’s home, noting that neighborhoods like Catalina Foothills often have limited exit points.
Catalina Foothills, where Guthrie resides, is described as a wealthy area located approximately seven miles north of Tucson, characterized by “mountain peaks of the Santa Catalina Mountains” and “approximately 44.6 miles of desert.”
Savannah Guthrie, along with her siblings Annie and Camron, released a video plea on Instagram, urging anyone with information to come forward. “We are ready to talk,” Savannah Guthrie said in the video. “However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her.” The family reiterated their willingness to listen and cooperate with authorities.
Despite the lack of concrete leads, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos stated on that he believes Nancy Guthrie is still alive, although he acknowledged that this belief is based on limited information. “We have nothing else to go on but the belief that she is here,” Nanos said.
The FBI is urging anyone with information regarding Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance to contact the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department tip line at 520-351-4900. The $50,000 reward is for information leading to the recovery of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.
