Ransom note demanding millions now revealed in abduction of Savannah Guthrie’s mother
Authorities investigating the disappearance of NBC “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, are now saying they have received a ransom note demanding millions of dollars.
The 84-year-old woman vanished from her Tucson, Arizona home Saturday night, Jan. 31, with signs of forced entry discovered at the scene. The Pima County Sheriff’s Office quickly shifted the case from a missing person investigation to a criminal abduction, with the FBI now assisting in the search.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said the ransom note was first received late Monday night, Feb. 2, and the FBI has been analyzing it. CBS News reported Tuesday evening, Feb. 3 that it “asks for a large sum of money,” and authorities are taking it seriously enough that they have shown it to the Guthrie family.
The note was originally sent to at least one TV station in Tucson, which reportedly originally agreed not to report on it, before being sent to TMZ on Tuesday.
ABC affiliate KGUN said the note referred to pieces of evidence at the crime scene and demanded several million dollars in Bitcoin by Thursday, Feb. 5.
Earlier in the day, Sheriff Nanos addressed the ransom possibility during a news conference Tuesday, Feb. 3, telling reporters, “We’re following all leads we have. That’s all I can tell you.” He added, “We are sharing all of our leads with the FBI.”
The search for Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, is ongoing, and authorities are requesting assistance from the public. Anyone with information is urged to contact 911.
Our prayers are with the Guthrie family as we hope for Nancy’s safe return home. pic.twitter.com/AuA4zQcPiW
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 3, 2026
Nanos said investigators believe Nancy was taken against her will and that her home is being treated as a crime scene, and called the search to find her “a race against time.”
They emphasized that Nancy has no cognitive issues like dementia and could not have left on her own due to mobility limitations.
Investigators said they found DNA evidence at the scene and are analyzing surveillance footage from the home and surrounding area. But at the Tuesday press conference, they said no suspects have been identified in the case.
Nancy Guthrie’s personal belongings, including her wallet, cell phone and car, were left behind, indicating she did not leave voluntarily.
The case has added urgency because Nancy Guthrie requires daily medication. The sheriff’s department has set up a tip line and is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Savannah Guthrie has temporarily stepped away from her NBC duties, including planned Olympic coverage in Italy that was to begin with opening ceremonies on Friday, Feb. 6.
In a statement released via her “Today” show colleagues on Monday, Feb. 2, Savannah said: “On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support. Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom.”
She also posted a heartfelt “Please Pray” message on Instagram late Monday night: “Thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant. Raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment. We need you.”
