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Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie

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"Nancy Guthrie" redirects here. For the politician, see Nancy Peoples Guthrie.

Nancy Guthrie
Photo of Guthrie
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Born
Nancy Ellen Long

(1942-01-27)January 27, 1942
Fort Wright, Kentucky, U.S.
DisappearedFebruary 1, 2026(2026-02-01) (aged 84)[a]
Catalina Foothills, Arizona, U.S.
StatusMissing for 16 days
Spouse
Charles Guthrie
​
(died 1988)​
Children3, including Savannah

On February 1, 2026, Nancy Guthrie (née Long), the American 84‑year‑old mother of NBC News journalist and Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing from her home in Catalina Foothills, Arizona, United States. Evidence recovered at the residence indicated that she had been taken against her will, and the Pima County sheriff Chris Nanos stated that he believed she had been abducted.

A multi‑agency investigation led by the Pima County Sheriff's Department, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and search-and-rescue teams, has included extensive forensic analysis, neighborhood canvassing, and review of surveillance footage. Bloodstains found at the scene were confirmed to be Guthrie's. Multiple ransom notes of undetermined origin demanded payment in cryptocurrency with two deadlines that had passed by February 9. On February 10, the FBI released still images from a video-doorbell camera showing an "armed individual" wearing a mask and carrying a backpack on the property at the time of her disappearance.

Family appeals on social media have not yet yielded any "proof of life" sought from the person or persons who abducted Nancy Guthrie.[1] As of February 16, law enforcement has stated that her condition and whereabouts remain unknown. The case has drawn international attention, with Savannah Guthrie suspending her broadcasting duties, including coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, to participate in the ongoing search.

Background

[edit]

Nancy Ellen Long was born on January 27, 1942, in Fort Wright, Kentucky, United States.[2] She has lived in the Tucson area for more than five decades, having moved there with her family in the early 1970s. She was married to Charles Guthrie until his death at age 49 while on a mining exploration trip in Mexico in 1988.[3][4] She has three children: Savannah, Annie, and Camron.[5] According to family members, Guthrie is mentally sharp and independent, and she lives alone in her home in the Catalina Foothills.[6] At age 84, she has limited mobility and requires daily medication for a chronic condition. She is active in her community and is a regular churchgoer.[7][8]

Disappearance

[edit]

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,[9][10][11] at approximately 9:50 p.m. Cioni, who is married to Guthrie's daughter Annie,[12] is the last known person to have seen her.[5][13][14] Guthrie did not arrive for a scheduled church service the following morning, prompting concern. A member of her church contacted the family to report that she had not appeared as expected. Relatives went to her home around 11 a.m. to check on her, searched the house and surrounding property, and found no sign of her. Around noon, the family called 911 and reported Guthrie missing to the Pima County Sheriff's Department.[15] Deputies responding to the residence noted that Guthrie's personal belongings, including her phone and other essential items, were still inside the home. Given her limited mobility and the absence of any indication that she had left voluntarily, investigators immediately regarded the situation as more than a routine missing‑person report.[15]

Official timeline

[edit]

At a press conference on Thursday, February 5, 2026, authorities released a detailed timeline surrounding Guthrie's disappearance. All times given are Mountain Time (UTC–7).[14][16][17]

Saturday, January 31, 2026
Time Event
5:32 p.m. Nancy Guthrie takes an Uber to her daughter Annie's home for dinner.
9:48 p.m. Guthrie is dropped off by her son-in-law: Annie's husband, Tommaso Cioni.
9:50 p.m. Guthrie's garage door is closed. Cioni reportedly drives off at this time.
Sunday, February 1, 2026
Time Event
1:47 a.m. A doorbell camera at Guthrie's home is disconnected by a masked and gloved individual.
2:12 a.m. Motion was detected. On February 10, the FBI released footage recovered from Nest camera backend systems showing an armed individual tampering with the device.
2:28 a.m. Guthrie's pacemaker app is disconnected from her phone.
~11:00 a.m. A churchgoer calls Guthrie's family to report that Guthrie was not at church.
11:56 a.m. Relatives arrive at Guthrie's home and discover that she is missing.
12:03 p.m. Guthrie's family calls 9-1-1.
12:15 p.m. Deputies from the Pima County Sheriff's Department arrive.

Investigation

[edit]
Updated missing person poster, including images of the recovered doorbell camera footage of an intruder. Published by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on February 10, 2026.
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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 US Customs and Border Protection.[18] Despite these efforts, no trace of Guthrie was found, and on February 2, authorities announced that the case had shifted from a search operation to a criminal investigation.[19]

Sheriff Chris Nanos stated that evidence recovered from Guthrie's residence indicated that a crime had taken place within the house, leading investigators to treat the home as a crime scene and to involve homicide investigators. He stated it was not believed that Guthrie left the residence voluntarily.[15] Nanos stated: "At this point, investigators believe she was taken from her home against her will, possibly in the middle of the night. Taken against her will includes possible kidnapping or abduction. She couldn't walk 50 yards by herself."[20] Nanos told CBS News that he believed she has been abducted.[18]

Because of the suspicious nature of the case, the Federal Bureau of Investigation joined the investigation to provide additional resources.[15] Authorities described Guthrie as a vulnerable adult due to her age, mobility limitations, and reliance on daily medication, while noting that she had no known cognitive impairments.[21]

Investigators reviewed surveillance footage, digital evidence, and neighborhood camera systems, and canvassed nearby residences and surrounding areas.[18] Up to the night of February 7, 2026, no suspects or arrests had been announced, and Guthrie's whereabouts remained unknown. The investigation remains active, and authorities continue to pursue leads and solicit information from the public.

Investigators confirmed that bloodstains were found at or near the entrance of the victim's home, and forensic testing later determined that DNA from the blood belonged to Guthrie.[22] Video footage captured by media outlets at the scene appeared to show a trail of blood near the front door.[23] Officials declined to comment on the extent of any injuries or the amount of blood.[24] Law enforcement also reported that personal items had been left behind and that a doorbell security camera had been removed, factors that contributed to the assessment that Guthrie was taken from her home against her will. Officials stated that the residence had been processed and that forensic analysis remained ongoing.[25]

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 treated the home as a crime scene and brought in homicide investigators alongside deputies conducting search efforts. Authorities said they did not believe Guthrie left the residence on her own.[26][27]

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.[28] Savannah Guthrie stepped away from her NBC duties, which were to include co-hosting the opening ceremonies of the 2026 Winter Olympics, to assist in the search for her mother. In a statement, she thanked law enforcement and members of the public for their support and urged anyone with information about her mother's whereabouts to contact authorities. As of February 16, 2026, Nancy Guthrie had not been located, and the investigation remained ongoing.[6][29][30] There had been speculations in the media (e.g. CNN) that the pacemaker from Nancy Guthrie with bluetooth functionality could be located via helicopters or drones.

Ransom notes

[edit]

Multiple media outlets reported receiving ransom notes in connection with Guthrie's disappearance, and efforts were underway to determine if they were sent by individuals holding Guthrie. Authorities neither confirmed nor denied the validity of the notes.[31] On February 2, KOLD-TV, a CBS affiliate in Tucson, reported that it had received a letter demanding payment for Guthrie's release. CBS News reported that investigators reviewed the letter, took it seriously, and shared it with the FBI, though authorities declined to confirm whether it was sent by someone holding Guthrie. The note was said 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.[32] The following day, TMZ reported that it had received an alleged ransom note demanding millions of dollars in Bitcoin, including a specific cryptocurrency address and a deadline.[33][34]

On February 5, Harvey Levin, founder of TMZ, claimed to have received a ransom note relating to Guthrie's disappearance, allegedly stating "you will have no way of contacting me".[35] That evening, Levin again claimed that he had a ransom letter indicating that Guthrie is still alive but "scared" and is "aware of the demands being made" and that "this will be their only communication"; Levin also emphasized that he and his staff were unsure of the validity of the letter. It is unclear whether these notes were written by a person involved in the disappearance of Guthrie, or if they are hoaxes.[36]

The Pima County Sheriff's Department acknowledged that it was aware of reports concerning ransom notes and stated that all tips and materials were being forwarded to detectives working with the FBI.[31] Also on February 5, a California man was arrested on federal charges alleging that he had posed as an abductor and demanded ransom from the Guthrie family. Authorities stated that the scheme was unrelated to the other ransom demands that had received wide publicity.[37] In a video released on February 7, Savannah Guthrie stated that "we will pay." The following day, it was reported that the ransom demand was $6 million, with a deadline of 5:00 p.m. on February 9.[38][39]

Guthrie family videos

[edit]

Savannah Guthrie publicly addressed her mother's disappearance in a video statement shared on social media on February 4, 2026. She appeared alongside her siblings, Annie and Camron Guthrie.[40] In the statement, Savannah said the family was aware of reports concerning a ransom letter and directed her remarks to the individual responsible for their mother's disappearance, saying 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 was alive and being held, stating, "We want to hear from you, and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us."[41][22]

On February 7, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings released a video that appeared to address a person or group potentially connected to their mother's disappearance. In the message, Savannah said, "We received your message and we understand. We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her; this is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay." It is possible that Nancy Guthrie is alive and being held for ransom; however, no official confirmation has been made regarding her disappearance, as investigations by the Pima County Sheriff's Department and the FBI remain ongoing.[42]

Doorbell camera footage

[edit]
Doorbell camera footage released by the FBI.

On February 10, FBI Director Kash Patel released four black-and-white images on X showing a masked intruder, wearing gloves and a backpack outside Guthrie's home. The Pima County Sheriff's Department issued the same statement. Investigators reported that the intruder attempted to tamper with the video doorbell; however, Patel stated that data from the device had been successfully recovered. He also said the intruder was armed with what appeared to be a gun placed in a holster located over his crotch.[43][44] Later that same day, the FBI released two videos captured by the doorbell camera.[45]

On February 12, 2026, based on the footage, authorities released additional details about the suspected kidnapper's appearance, including an estimated height of 175–178 centimetres (5 ft 9 in – 5 ft 10 in), an average build, a black mustache, and the 25-litre (6.6 US gal) Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack he was carrying.[46][47]

Law enforcement activity outside Guthrie home

[edit]

Rio Rico

[edit]

During the evening of February 10, a person of interest was detained for questioning following a traffic stop in Rio Rico, Arizona, about 60 miles south of Tucson.[48][49] Shortly afterward, the PCSD and FBI executed a search warrant on a property and vehicle in the same area.[50] By February 11, the searches had concluded and the individual was released without charges. Sheriff Nanos said the individual was determined not to be involved in the disappearance.[51][44]

Pima County

[edit]

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department began an operation on February 13 at a residence two miles away from Guthrie's house.[52] Two people were removed from the residence,[53] and roads in the area surrounding the residence were closed to the public for about four hours.[54] One of the people removed from the residence was taken in for questioning and released by the following day.[55] Around the same time, law enforcement investigated a Range Rover in the parking lot of a nearby Culver's restaurant.[56][53][57] The vehicle was seized and towed away.[55]

Responses

[edit]

White House

[edit]

The White House posted information about Guthrie on its social media accounts, urging the public to report any relevant information.[58] Following an interview with NBC's Tom Llamas, President Donald Trump called Savannah on February 4, 2026, offering additional federal resources and expressing hope for her mother's safe recovery.[59] During the call, Savannah thanked the president and law enforcement, saying that her family was devastated and praying.[60]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the evening of January 31, 2026. She was reported missing on February 1, 2026, after not showing up to church as expected. The official timeline indicates that she was removed from her house in the middle of the night on February 1, 2026.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ortutay, Barbara; White, Ed (February 6, 2026). "Savannah Guthrie wants proof that her mom is alive. That's complicated in this era of AI". Associated Press. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  2. ^ Hodges, Bebe. "Who is Nancy Guthrie? Savannah Guthrie's mom is from Greater Cincinnati". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  3. ^ "Funeral Notices: GUTHRIE, Charles E." Tucson Citizen. June 13, 1988. p. 5C. Retrieved February 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Powel, James; Morrow, Brendan; Khan, Melina; Acosta, Tiffany; Robinson, KiMi. "What we know about Nancy Guthrie's disappearance". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  5. ^ a b Dolak, Kevin (February 4, 2026). "Nancy Guthrie Missing: What We Know About Her Three Adult Children and the Massive Investigation". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  6. ^ a b Sarnoff, Leah; Morris, Amanda M; Deliso, Meredith; Stone, Alex. "'Bring her home': Savannah Guthrie addresses her mother missing in possible abduction". ABC News. Archived from the original on February 2, 2026. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  7. ^ Moore, Julia. "Savannah Guthrie's Mom's Friend from Church Reported Her Missing to Her Children". People.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2026. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  8. ^ Todisco, Eric (February 2, 2026). "Savannah Guthrie skips 'Today,' speaks out after mom Nancy goes missing in Arizona". Archived from the original on February 2, 2026. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  9. ^ "Early Black | Rock from Tucson, AZ". ReverbNation. Archived from the original on April 17, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  10. ^ "Tommaso Cioni". Tapirulan Association (in Italian). Cremona. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  11. ^ "Cremona: Liceo Scientifico e Liceo delle Scienze Applicate "Gaspare Aselli"". informagiovani.comune.cremona.it | Informagiovani. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  12. ^ "profiles in poetics: Annie Guthrie". womens quarterly conversation. Archived from the original on December 8, 2013. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  13. ^ Blair, Anthony (February 4, 2026). "Savannah Guthrie's brother-in-law was the last person to see mom Nancy before she vanished". New York Post. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  14. ^ a b Arkin, Daniel (February 5, 2026). "Authorities provide a timeline of the night Nancy Guthrie disappeared". NBC News. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  15. ^ a b c d Scott, Owen; Keane, Isabel (February 2, 2026). "Sheriff reveals "crime scene" after Savannah Guthrie's "sharp as a tack" mother Nancy goes missing". The Independent. Archived from the original on February 3, 2026. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  16. ^ Vigliotti, Jonathan; Baldwin, Sarah Lynch (February 6, 2026). "A timeline of Nancy Guthrie's disappearance as search for Savannah Guthrie's mom stretches into sixth day". CBS News. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  17. ^ Shapiro, Emily (February 6, 2026). "Nancy Guthrie abduction: New timeline emerges in mysterious disappearance of Savannah Guthrie's mom". ABC News. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  18. ^ a b c Dakss, Brian; Sundby, Alex (February 2, 2026). "Savannah Guthrie's mother, Nancy Guthrie, missing in Arizona; "I believe she was abducted," sheriff says". CBS News. Archived from the original on February 2, 2026. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  19. ^ Toohey, Grace; Harter, Clara (February 2, 2026). "'Today' host Savannah Guthrie's mom possibly kidnapped in middle of night, authorities say". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 3, 2026. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  20. ^ Hayleigh Evans; Joan Meiners. "Uneven terrain, uncertain weather could slow Nancy Guthrie search". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  21. ^ McRady, Rachel. "Savannah Guthrie's Missing Mom Nancy Is Without Her Daily Medication, Says Jenna Bush Hager: 'She Needs Them for Survival'". People.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2026. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  22. ^ a b Dunbar, Marina; Braun, Sara (February 5, 2026). "Arizona officials confirm blood found at Nancy Guthrie's home was hers". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  23. ^ Cavallier, Andrea (February 4, 2026). "Video shows trail of blood and missing doorbell camera outside Nancy Guthrie's house". The Independent. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  24. ^ Entin, Brian; Menezes, Damita (February 3, 2026). "Blood trail found outside home of Savannah Guthrie's mom". NewsNation. Archived from the original on February 4, 2026. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  25. ^ Santaflorentina, Hayley (February 3, 2026). "Police Find DNA Evidence Amid Search for Savannah Guthrie's Missing Mom". E! Online. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  26. ^ Stump, Scott (February 2, 2026). "Savannah's Mom Nancy Remains Missing, Officials Investigating "New Message"". TODAY.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2026. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  27. ^ Maglio, Tony (February 5, 2026). "Sheriff in Nancy Guthrie Case Rips Ashleigh Banfield's "Reckless" Reporting". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  28. ^ Luscombe, Richard (February 2, 2026). "Arizona home of Today show host's missing mother treated as 'crime scene'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  29. ^ McRady, Rachel. "Savannah Guthrie Skips 'Today' Show, Speaks Out amid Mom Nancy's Disappearance: 'Our Focus Remains on the Safe Return of Our Dear Mom'". People.com. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  30. ^ Powell, Akim. "Savannah Guthrie pulls out of Winter Olympics coverage after her mom disappeared, reports say". KPTV.com. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  31. ^ a b Raymundo, Shawn. "Everything we know about the Nancy Guthrie ransom notes". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  32. ^ Freiman, Jordan; Vigliotti, Jonathan (February 3, 2026). "Sheriff says ransom note being investigated in disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, Savannah Guthrie's mother". CBS News. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  33. ^ "Alleged Ransom Note for Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Demands Millions in Bitcoin". TMZ. February 3, 2026. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  34. ^ Blair, Anthony (February 4, 2026). "Nancy Guthrie disappearance: Purported ransom's chilling details about Savannah Guthrie's mother". Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  35. ^ Goodstone, Sydney (February 6, 2026). TMZ's Harvey Levin reveals new details in Nancy Guthrie ransom: Note says 'you will have no way of contacting me' | CNN. Retrieved February 6, 2026 – via www.cnn.com.
  36. ^ Leeman, Zachary (February 6, 2026). "Harvey Levin Shares Nancy Guthrie Kidnapper Letter Details". Mediaite. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  37. ^ Valencia, Peter (February 5, 2026). "California man accused of being ransom note 'imposter' in Nancy Guthrie case". AZfamily.com. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  38. ^ Meyer, Matt (February 8, 2026). "Live updates: Latest on the search for Nancy Guthrie". CNN. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  39. ^ "Social media detectives' role in search for Savannah Guthrie's mother". The Independent. February 9, 2026. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  40. ^ "Savannah Guthrie breaks her silence about mom Nancy's case – Live updates". USA TODAY. February 4, 2026. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  41. ^ Arkin, Daniel (February 5, 2026). "'TODAY' co-anchor Savannah Guthrie and family make tearful plea for mother's return". NBC News. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  42. ^ Arkin, Daniel; Griffin, Dana; Lenthang, Marlene (February 8, 2026). "Savannah Guthrie tells mother's possible kidnapper 'we will pay' in new video". NBC News.
  43. ^ "Man detained for questioning in Nancy Guthrie case after FBI releases videos". NBC News. February 10, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  44. ^ a b Tsui, Karina; Goillandeau, Martin; Riess, Rebekah (February 11, 2026). "February 10, 2026 – Nancy Guthrie case". CNN. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  45. ^ "NANCY GUTHRIE". Federal Bureau of Investigation.
  46. ^ Baker, K.C.; Flam, Charna; Bacher, Danielle. "FBI Releases New Physical Description of Suspect In Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping, Ups Reward to $100,000". People. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  47. ^ Robinson, KiMi (February 13, 2026). "FBI releases new details on suspect in Nancy Guthrie alleged kidnapping". USA Today. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  48. ^ "Live Updates: Person detained for questioning in connection with Nancy Guthrie abduction: official". ABC7 Los Angeles.
  49. ^ Rucker, Sam (February 11, 2026). "Nancy Guthrie case: person 'detained for questioning'". thetimes.com. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  50. ^ Lavandera, Ed. "Authorities conduct court-authorized search in Rio Rico, Arizona". CNN. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  51. ^ Ewe, Koh (February 11, 2026). "Police release man detained in connection to Nancy Guthrie disappearance". BBC News. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  52. ^ "Authorities conduct operation near Nancy Guthrie's home in Tucson". The Washington Post. February 14, 2026. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  53. ^ a b "No arrests after investigators search second home in Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case, sheriff says". Los Angeles Times. February 14, 2026. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  54. ^ Giraldo, Nina (February 13, 2026). "A law enforcement operation took place near Guthrie's home tonight. What happened?". CNN. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  55. ^ a b Healy, Jack (February 14, 2026). "Neighbor Recalls Investigators Searching Home Next Door in Guthrie Disappearance". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  56. ^ Giraldo, Nina (February 13, 2026). "A law enforcement operation took place near Guthrie's home tonight. What happened?". CNN. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  57. ^ Vandell, Perry. "SWAT team conducts operation near Nancy Guthrie neighborhood". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  58. ^ Mastrangelo, Dominick (February 3, 2026). "White House sends support for Nancy Guthrie as search continues". The Hill.
  59. ^ Arkin, Daniel (February 4, 2026). "Trump spoke to Savannah Guthrie as search for her mother continues". NBC News. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  60. ^ Collins, Terry. "Trump calls Savannah Guthrie as search for her missing mother goes on". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
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