Sheriff's Department Aware of Reports of Ransom Note in Nancy Guthrie Case

Name: Sheriff's Department Aware of Reports of Ransom Note in Nancy Guthrie Case
Uploaded: 2026-02-04T13:38:49.000Z
Description: Savannah Guthrie has made a public plea for prayers and information to help find her mother.

Savannah Guthrie has made a public plea for prayers and information to help find her mother.

Kelly McBride Ni

Published: 2/3/2026, 5:16:22 PM EST

On Tuesday at 3:50 p.m. ET, law enforcement officials confirmed in a social media post that they are aware of reports about a possible ransom note in the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said in a social media update that it is “aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s)” linked to the investigation and is “taking all tips and leads very seriously.”

The department added that “anything that comes in, goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI.” Authorities also encouraged those with information to submit tips via a posted QR code shared on their social media post.

On Tuesday afternoon at 2:41 p.m. ET, TMZ reported receiving a ransom note via email related to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. In a social media video, TMZ founder Harvey Levin explained that the note demanded a large sum, reportedly in Bitcoin, for Guthrie’s return. He said the email included details about her clothing and alleged damage to her home. TMZ forwarded the message to law enforcement.

Investigators, including the FBI’s Tucson field office and Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, held a press conference earlier Tuesday to provide an update on the ongoing search and answer questions from the media.

Due to heightened attention, Nanos said future updates would be provided at scheduled press briefings unless there is breaking news. When asked about a possible ransom, he explained that investigators are reviewing hundreds of tips but have not yet developed any solid leads.

Sheriff Nanos said authorities are considering whether the incident was targeted or random. FBI Tucson Chief John Edwards stressed, "We are looking at this from every angle," and urged anyone with information about Nancy’s disappearance to help.

According to the sheriff, there is no known ongoing threat to the public. He said the department does not believe this was part of a broader pattern of targeting elderly residents.

However, law enforcement continues to treat the disappearance as a suspected crime and that she was taken from her home against her will. Guthrie’s home has been processed as a crime scene.

Nancy Guthrie was reported missing on Jan. 31 after not showing up for Sunday’s church service. She was later determined to be missing from her home in Catalina Foothills. Concerns for her well-being are heightened by her age, limited mobility, and dependence on daily medication.

Savannah Guthrie has made a public plea for prayers and information to help find her mother. Authorities are offering a reward for tips that lead to an arrest. The investigation and search efforts remain ongoing.