Tucson, Arizona — Federal authorities are intensifying their efforts to locate Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie, who disappeared from her Arizona home on February 1 under suspicious circumstances. President Donald Trump personally pledged full federal support, and FBI Director Kash Patel is traveling to Tucson to coordinate the comprehensive search operation.
Nancy Guthrie vanished from her residence in Tucson's Catalina Foothills neighborhood early Sunday morning, February 1. Investigators believe she was forcibly removed from her home, with her doorbell camera mysteriously disconnecting at 1:47 a.m. and her pacemaker app going offline at 2:28 a. m. that same morning.
Family members discovered her missing when she failed to appear at church services later that day.
Key Facts
• Nancy Guthrie's doorbell camera disconnected at 1:47 a.m. on February 1, and her pacemaker app went offline at 2:28 a.m., indicating the abduction occurred in the early morning hours
• The FBI has announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy's recovery or the arrest of those responsible, with approximately 100 sheriff's detectives working the case
• Authorities believe Nancy is still alive but require direct proof before negotiations proceed, as warned by investigators to the kidnappers to
Detectives treating Nancy's disappearance as a potential kidnapping after discovering blood on her front porch confirmed to be hers. The Pima County Sheriff's Department disclosed that ransom demands have been made, with one note possibly demanding cryptocurrency payments.
Investigators have identified at least one impostor attempting to exploit the situation with false demands.
President Trump announced he is
signaling unprecedented federal involvement. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who has known Savannah Guthrie for over 25 years, has been receiving constant updates and maintaining phone contact with the family.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed he is already in Tucson for a separate event and is
though Arizona authorities continue to lead the investigation. Investigators emphasized that Arizona law enforcement remains in charge, with federal agencies providing comprehensive support.
In an emotional Instagram video released Wednesday, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings made direct appeals to their mother's potential abductors, requesting proof of life before proceeding with any negotiations.
Savannah stated, emphasizing her mother's fragile health and need for daily medication to survive.
Nancy Guthrie requires daily medication for her heart condition and lives in constant pain, adding critical urgency to the search. She has limited mobility and no cognitive issues that would suggest she left voluntarily, according to the sheriff's assessment.
Her family emphasized that every passing hour increases the medical risks she faces.
Investigators have collected DNA evidence from Nancy's home and are reviewing security camera footage to establish a clearer timeline of events. Neighbors in the Catalina Foothills community have begun installing or upgrading home security systems and voluntarily sharing footage with deputies to aid the investigation.
warned Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos directly to those responsible, urging them to return Nancy safely and offering a final opportunity to resolve the matter.
The family continues appealing for any information from the public while negotiating carefully with the kidnappers, aware that voices and images can be manipulated in digital communications. With no suspects identified and Nancy's whereabouts unknown, federal and local authorities are pursuing multiple investigative angles simultaneously.
Do You Know?
• Nancy Guthrie's pacemaker app disconnecting at 2:28 a.m. provided investigators with precise technical evidence of when the abduction likely occurred, demonstrating how modern medical devices can help law enforcement establish critical timelines in missing person cases.
Key Terms
• Cryptocurrency: Digital currency like Bitcoin that can be transferred without traditional banking systems, often requested in ransom demands for anonymity
• Pacemaker app: A mobile application connected to a heart monitoring device that tracks vital signs remotely and alerts the wearer to potential health issues
• Ransom demand: A formal request for money or valuables in exchange for the return of a kidnapped person or stolen property
• Abduction: The unlawful taking away of a person against their will, typically by force