Tucson, Arizona — The desperate search for nancy guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC “Today” show co-host savannah guthrie, has entered its second week as federal authorities investigate multiple ransom demands and scour the Arizona desert for clues in what officials are calling a possible kidnapping.

Nancy Guthrie Missing: FBI Joins Search for Savannah Guthrie’s Mother After Arizona Kidnapping and $6M Ransom Demand

Timeline of Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance

Nancy Guthrie was last seen on Saturday, January 31, 2026, when she took an Uber to her daughter annie guthrie’s home for a family dinner and game night in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson, Arizona. According to Pima County Sheriff chris nanos, Guthrie was dropped off at her secluded residence at 9:48 p.m., with her garage door closing two minutes later.

The timeline takes a disturbing turn in the early morning hours of Sunday, February 1:

1:47 a.m.: Nancy’s doorbell camera was disconnected and has not been recovered
2:12 a.m.: Security software detected movement, though no footage was saved due to lack of subscription
2:28 a.m.: Guthrie’s pacemaker disconnected from her phone—a critical moment investigators believe may indicate when she was taken from her home

Family members discovered Nancy missing at 11:56 a.m. when she failed to appear at her church, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, where she has been a beloved congregant for approximately 30 years. Authorities were notified at 12:03 p.m., with deputies arriving by 12:15 p.m. to find her cellphone, wallet, and vehicle left behind.

Ransom Notes and FBI Investigation

The case took a dramatic turn when multiple media outlets, including Tucson TV stations KGUN 9 and KOLD 13, received purported ransom notes demanding payment for Nancy Guthrie’s safe return.

According to reports, one note demanded $6 million before a Monday deadline, threatening Guthrie’s life if the family failed to comply. The ransom demands reportedly requested payment in Bitcoin, with multiple deadlines established by the sender.

However, authorities remain cautious about the authenticity of these communications. The FBI’s Phoenix division, now leading the investigation, announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to Guthrie’s recovery or the arrest of those involved.

“We’re actively looking at everybody we come across in this case, everybody,” Sheriff Nanos stated at a Thursday press conference. “The family’s been very cooperative. They’ve done everything we’ve asked of them.”

Notably, investigators have already arrested one individual—Derrick Callella, 42—for allegedly sending a fake ransom demand. He was released on $20,000 bond.

Medical Concerns Mount as Search Expands

The urgency of finding Nancy Guthrie intensifies daily due to her significant health vulnerabilities. According to her family and law enforcement, Guthrie:

Requires daily medication that was left behind at her home
Has a pacemaker that disconnected from monitoring devices
Suffers from limited mobility—unable to walk 50 yards unassisted
Has high blood pressure and heart issues

“She lives in constant pain. She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive, and she needs it not to suffer,” Savannah Guthrie said in an emotional video appeal posted Wednesday.

Despite her physical limitations, Sheriff Nanos described Nancy as “sharp as a tack” mentally, with no cognitive issues.

Family’s Emotional Pleas to Kidnappers

Savannah Guthrie, alongside her siblings Annie and Camron, has made multiple public appeals directly addressing their mother’s captors. In a Saturday night video, Savannah stated: “We received your message and we understand. We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.”

The family’s willingness to meet ransom demands has drawn analysis from former FBI negotiators. “The release of a second family video doesn’t suggest progress,” said retired FBI agent Richard Kolko. “In most abduction cases, families go public again when there has been no communication and no proof of life.”

Investigators have emphasized that without proof of life, no ransom negotiations can proceed—a standard protocol in kidnapping cases to prevent fraud and ensure victim safety.

Forensic Evidence and Ongoing Searches

DNA analysis has confirmed that blood found on Nancy Guthrie’s porch belonged to her, though the amount and circumstances remain undisclosed. The missing doorbell camera and disconnected pacemaker provide crucial, if frustratingly incomplete, timeline data.

Law enforcement activity has intensified around the Guthrie family:

Investigators spent hours at Annie Guthrie’s home, where Nancy had dinner before her disappearance
FBI agents conducted drone surveillance and roof searches at Nancy’s residence
A vehicle was towed from the property Friday evening
Digital billboards featuring Nancy’s image have been deployed across Texas, New Mexico, California, and Arizona

Community Response and Investigation Status

The Catalina Foothills community remains on edge as the investigation stretches into its eighth day. “Everybody’s frustrated that there are no answers,” neighbor Shirley Harvey told CNN. “People are in shock because we still don’t know where she is.”

Senator mark kelly (D-AZ) expressed confidence in the multi-agency effort, noting that Sheriff Nanos has “hundreds” of deputies working around the clock with full federal support.

As of this report, no suspects or persons of interest have been publicly identified, and authorities emphasize that everyone—including family members, service workers, and the Uber driver who transported Nancy—remains under investigation until ruled out.

The FBI continues to urge anyone with information to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

This is a developing story. Check back for updates on the Nancy Guthrie missing person case and Arizona kidnapping investigation.