A bombshell twist has emerged in the abduction of Savannah Guthrie’s mom, Nancy.
The desperate search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC Today show anchor Savannah, has taken a dramatic turn.
The chilling development comes as the investigation enters its fourth day, with authorities racing against time to locate the elderly woman who requires daily medication to survive.
Who is Savannah Guthrie?
Savannah Guthrie stands as one of the most prominent figures in American broadcast journalism.
The 54-year-old serves as co-anchor of NBC’s flagship morning program Today, a position that has made her a household name across the United States.
Born in 1971, Guthrie’s path to the anchor desk was paved with determination and exceptional credentials.
She holds a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center and achieved the top score on the Arizona Bar Exam in 2002, showcasing her impressive academic prowess before fully committing to journalism.
Savannah Guthrie’s career
Guthrie’s journalism career spans more than two decades of distinguished service. She began in local television before ascending through NBC News ranks, initially joining the network as a White House correspondent in December 2008.
Her sharp legal mind and articulate reporting style quickly set her apart.
By June 2011, Guthrie had earned her place on the Today show, eventually becoming co-anchor of one of America’s longest-running and most-watched morning programs.
Throughout her tenure, she has covered major political events, conducted high-profile interviews, and hosted significant live events including Olympic coverage for NBC.
Her position reportedly earns her approximately $8 million annually, reflecting her status as a leading voice in broadcast news. Just weeks before her mother’s disappearance, Guthrie had undergone vocal cord surgery, requiring three weeks away from the show across December and early January.
Savannah’s mom, Nancy Guthrie
Nancy Guthrie has been a cornerstone in Savannah’s life, especially after the death of Savannah’s father, Charles Guthrie, who passed away from a heart attack in 1988 when Savannah was just 16 years old.
The Today host has frequently paid tribute to her mother publicly, describing Nancy as someone who modeled selflessness, faith, and quiet strength.
In a 2022 tribute celebrating Nancy’s 80th birthday, Savannah wrote that her mother’s ‘steadfastness and her unmovable confidence is the reason any of us grew up to do anything.’
On Mother’s Day 2024, Savannah called Nancy: “God’s first, best and most important gift to me,” underscoring the profound bond between mother and daughter.
Nancy, who lives alone in the Catalina Foothills area outside Tucson, Arizona, reportedly employs staff members, though none are believed to be live-in workers.
Savannah Guthrie speaks out
Savannah has remained largely absent from public view since her mother’s disappearance, missing her Today show duties as she focuses on her family during this crisis.
She will also not be joining NBC Sports for coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony, which she had been scheduled to co-host.
On Monday evening, the journalist took to Instagram with a faith-driven plea for her mother’s safe return. “
We believe in prayer. We believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope,” she wrote. “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.”
She concluded her emotional message with a simple, powerful appeal: “Bring her home.”
Savannah’s husband, Michael Feldman, told reporters he feels ‘mostly unhelpful’ during this difficult time despite trying to be ‘responsive’ to the situation.
What we know so far
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, outside her home in the affluent Catalina Foothills neighborhood, per MailOnline.
When she failed to appear at her regular church service the following Sunday morning, concerned family members went to check on her and called 911 around noon.
What authorities discovered painted a deeply disturbing picture. The lights were on, Nancy’s phone, wallet, and car remained at the residence, and the door was unlocked. Most troubling were reported signs of forced entry at the scene.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has been unequivocal in his assessment. “I believe she was abducted, yes,” he stated at a Monday press conference. “She didn’t walk from there. She didn’t go willingly.”
The 84-year-old is described as having significant mobility limitations – her family told investigators she ‘couldn’t walk 50 yards’ – though she remains mentally sharp. “She’s sharp as a tack,” Sheriff Nanos confirmed.
Critically, Nancy requires daily medication for high blood pressure, a pacemaker, and cardiac issues. Authorities have warned that her condition could become life-threatening without access to these medications.
A massive search operation initially deployed drones, helicopters, search-and-rescue dogs, heat sensors, and numerous volunteers, but the effort has now shifted from rescue to criminal investigation.
The bombshell twist
In a shocking development reported Tuesday morning, TMZ revealed that its newsroom received a ransom note demanding millions in Bitcoin for Nancy’s release.
The note provided a specific Bitcoin address for payment, which the publication verified as legitimate.
According to TMZ, the message came with a deadline for response and described an item in Nancy’s home that was damaged during her disappearance, suggesting the sender has inside knowledge of the crime scene.
The demand for cryptocurrency – difficult to trace and increasingly used in criminal enterprises – adds a sophisticated element to what authorities already believed was a planned abduction.
Police speak out
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office responded swiftly to the ransom note reports, confirming on social media that they are taking the development seriously, per the Independent.
“We are aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s) regarding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie,” the department stated. “We are taking all tips and leads very seriously. Anything that comes in goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI.”
Sheriff Nanos revealed Tuesday that investigators have received ‘hundreds of leads’ in the case, though no suspect has yet been identified. The FBI is now assisting with the investigation, lending federal resources to the search.
Authorities have offered a $2,500 reward through nonprofit group 88-Crime for information leading to an arrest. Sheriff Nanos made an emotional plea: “Just call us, let her go,” while urging neighbors to review security camera footage from between 1:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. on Sunday morning.
“We have someone’s life who is in jeopardy,” Nanos emphasized, highlighting the urgency as the search continues.
