Federal and local investigators are working to piece together the disappearance of Today show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, who was reported missing on Sunday.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said blood found on the porch of her Tucson, Ariz., home belongs to the 84-year-old and that in the early morning hours Sunday her pacemaker disconnected from its app. Authorities have not identified any suspects or persons of interest and are operating on the assumption that she is alive.
“We still believe Nancy is still out there. We want her home,” Nanos said. He also said no determination has been made about whether someone forced their way into the house, countering earlier reports of forced entry.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to Guthrie’s recovery or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved. At a Thursday press conference, Heith Janke, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Phoenix office, said investigators are reviewing a ransom note sent to media outlets and are “taking it seriously.” The Guthrie family issued a plea asking alleged captors to make contact so they can move forward, with son Camron Guthrie asking for a way to communicate.
Sheriff Nanos outlined a timeline: Guthrie took an Uber to a family member’s home for dinner Saturday evening, was dropped off around 5:30 p.m., and returned home just before 10 p.m., when her garage door closed. About 1:50 a.m. Sunday a doorbell camera disconnected. The department said a security camera is missing from the front of the house; roughly half an hour after the disconnection the camera’s software detected a person, but the data wasn’t stored. At about 2:30 a.m. Guthrie’s phone disconnected from her pacemaker app. Her family checked on her around noon, found her missing and called 911.
When asked if anyone who was with Guthrie the night before has been ruled out, Nanos said investigators are still working and have not ruled anyone out.
In an emotional video posted by Savannah Guthrie, she and siblings Annie and Charles Cameron acknowledged reports of a ransom letter. Savannah read a statement saying the family is ready to talk but must be sure without doubt that Nancy is alive and in the captors’ custody. She described her mother as 84, in fragile health, living in constant pain and needing medication to survive and avoid suffering.
Authorities said at least three ransom notes were sent, though it’s unclear how many are considered credible. Janke said details in one note—references to an Apple Watch and a floodlight—made it credible. That note included two deadlines, one on Thursday at 5 p.m. and another on Monday. The decision to provide ransom money is up to the family. One person has been arrested in relation to an imposter ransom note; Janke warned those trying to profit from the situation will be investigated and held accountable.
Former NYPD detective and hostage negotiator Wally Zeins told NPR that public statements like the family’s video help generate attention and leads for missing-persons cases. The case has drawn significant attention because of the circumstances, limited evidence released, and the celebrity connection.
President Trump said he spoke with Savannah Guthrie and directed federal law enforcement to be at the family’s “complete disposal, IMMEDIATELY,” adding that all resources are being deployed to get her mother home safely.
Community members held a vigil at Saint Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church in Tucson with the family’s consent. After prayers, attendees lit candles.
Investigators returned to Guthrie’s house after earlier saying they had finished processing it as a crime scene; officers were seen carrying items from the home. Zeins noted it’s common to revisit a scene to look for missed areas or to follow up on new tips. Authorities are reviewing electronic evidence, including security and doorbell footage from Guthrie’s home and neighbors’, and labs are analyzing fingerprints, DNA and camera images. Nanos said DNA testing so far shows “nothing to indicate any suspects.”
Nancy Guthrie has three children: Annie, Charles Cameron and Savannah, the youngest. Her husband, Charles, died in 1988. Savannah Guthrie was set to host NBC’s coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony but will not be part of the Milan Cortina Games as she focuses on being with her family.
Bill Chappell contributed reporting.