Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie

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, US 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 along with a short video 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. As of February 24, 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, to participate in the ongoing search.

Background

Nancy Ellen Long was born on January 27, 1942, in Fort Wright, Kentucky, United States. 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. She has three children: Savannah, Annie, and Camron. According to family members, Guthrie is mentally sharp and independent, and she lives alone in her home in the Catalina Foothills. 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.

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 approximately 9:50 p.m. Cioni, who is married to Guthrie's daughter Annie, is the last known person to have seen her. Guthrie did not arrive for a scheduled livestream of a 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. 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.

Official timeline

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).

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 police dogs, drones, and aerial resources, with assistance from US Customs and Border Protection. 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.

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. 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." Nanos told CBS News that he believed she has been abducted.

Because of 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 noting that she had no known cognitive impairments.

Investigators reviewed surveillance footage, digital evidence, and neighborhood camera systems, and canvassed nearby residences and surrounding areas. 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. Video footage captured by media outlets at the scene appeared to show a trail of blood near the front door. Officials declined to comment on the extent of any injuries or the amount of blood. 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.

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.

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 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 24, 2026, Nancy Guthrie had not been located, and the investigation remained ongoing.

Ransom notes

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. 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. 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.

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". 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.

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. 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. 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 p.m. on February 9.