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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Rachel Dobkin

Savannah Guthrie live: Cops hunting for Today host’s ‘abducted’ mom investigating alleged ransom note

Authorities are probing an alleged ransom note as part of the desperate search for Nancy Guthrie, the mother ofToday show star Savannah Guthrie.

Cops say that Nancy was snatched from her home as she slept on Saturday. Now the investigation into her disappearance is entering its forth day.

In the latest development in the case, TMZ has reported that its journalists recieved a ransom note offering the return of Nancy to her family in exchange for Bitcoin. According to the publication, the value of the Bitcoin is said to be in the “millions.”

The Pima County Sherrif’s Office has confirmed on X that it is taking the report “seriously” and continues to appeal for more information about Nancy’s whereabouts.

Meanwhile, Savannah Guthrie has dropped out of her hosting duties at the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony “as she focuses on being with her family during this difficult time,” an NBC Sports spokesperson told The Independent on Tuesday.

Key Points

  • Police admit they ‘don’t know’ where Savannah Guthrie’s mom is
  • Reporter details 'concerning' observations made at Nancy Guthrie's home
  • White House responds to Nancy Guthrie's disappearance
  • What we know about Nancy Guthrie's disappearance
  • Timeline of Nancy Guthrie disappearance

What we know about Nancy Guthrie's disappearance

Tuesday 3 February 2026 23:10 , Rachel Dobkin
  • Today show star Savannah Guthrie’s mom, Nancy, went missing from her Arizona home Saturday night
  • The 84-year-old is “limited in mobility” but of “great sound mind,” according to local authorities.
  • Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said Monday that he believes Nancy was “abducted.”
  • Savannah missed her show Monday and Tuesday and will not be joining NBC Sports for its coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics as her family grapples with Nancy’s disappearance.
  • A ransom note was sent toTMZ , offering Nancy’s release in exchange for “millions” in Bitcoin
  • The PCSO has confirmed it is now investigating the sinister note

Ring doorbell was removed at Nancy Guthrie's house

11:18 , Owen Scott

The Ring doorbell at Nancy Guthrie’s home was removed, according to authorities (Google Maps)

A Ring doorbell at Nancy Guthrie’s home was “removed,” according to authorities.

The popular home security brand’s cameras often attached to doorframes and can be used to keep track of people outside of people’s houses.

Like many people, Nancy was the owner of such a device but the camera was missing when police arrived at her home on Saturday, the PCSO said in an email seen by Fox News.

The location of the camera remains unknown.

Watch: Sheriff reveals ‘crime scene’ after Savannah Guthrie’s ‘sharp as a tack’ mother Nancy goes missing

10:27 , Rachel Dobkin

What has Savannah Guthrie's husband said about mother-in-law's disappearance?

09:50 , Rachel Dobkin

Today show star Savannah Guthrie's husband, Michael Feldman, has spoken out after his mother-in-law, Nancy Guthrie, vanished from her Arizona home Saturday night.

Feldman told Page Six Tuesday he’s “just being responsive” but feels “mostly unhelpful” as Nancy remained missing.

Savannah’s husband shared his gratitude for the media’s “thoughtfulness” during this difficult time. Several of Savannah’s colleagues have spread the word about Nancy’s disappearance and sent prayers her way.

Authorities confirm they are probing the random note

09:30 , Owen Scott

The Pima County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed it is probing the alleged ransom note, which was received by TMZ.

“We are aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s) regarding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie,” a PCSO statement on X reads. “We are taking all tips and leads very seriously.

“Anything that comes in, goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI.”

The PCSO also shared a QR code for a tip-off page on their website.

TMZ receives an alleged ransom note offering Nancy's return in exchange for Bitcoin

09:15 , Owen Scott

TMZ says it has received a ransom note offering the release of Nancy Guthrie (Pima County Sheriff's Department)

Journalists at TMZ say that they have received a ransom note demanding payment for the release of Nancy Guthrie.

The sinister message was received on Tuesday morning and offers Nancy’s release in exchange for “millions” in Bitcoin.

The magazine has confirmed that the Bitcoin address listed on the note is real and that the message came with a deadline for a response.

According to TMZ, the note describes an item in Nancy’s Arizona home which was damaged at some point during her disappearance.

Savannah Guthrie pulls out of Olympics coverage amid mom’s disappearance

09:00 , Carsen Holaday

Savannah Guthrie has dropped out of her hosting duties at the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony amid her mother’s disappearance.

The Today anchor’s mom, Nancy Guthrie, remains nowhere to be found after she was reported missing Sunday afternoon, as police believe she was abducted from her home in the middle of the night.

Savannah, 54, was set to head to Italy for the start of the winter games Friday, but will not be traveling abroad due to the family emergency.

An NBC Sports spokesperson said in a statement shared with The Independent, “Savannah will not be joining us at the Olympics as she focuses on being with her family during this difficult time. Our hearts are with her and the entire Guthrie family as the search continues for their mother.”

Read on...

Savannah Guthrie pulls out of Olympics coverage amid mom’s disappearance

Who is Savannah Guthrie?

08:30 , Rachel Dobkin
  • Savannah Guthrie is a co-anchor on the Today show.
  • She started out at NBC News as a White House correspondent in December 2008 before joining the morning news program in June 2011.
  • Guthrie also has her Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center and earned “the top score” on the Arizona Bar Exam in 2002, according to her biography.

Pictured: Savannah Guthrie with mom Nancy before disappearance

08:00 , Rachel Dobkin

A photo that Savannah Guthrie posted on Instagram for her mom’s 78th birthday has resurfaced after Nancy vanished from her Arizona home Saturday night.

Savannah Guthrie with mom Nancy (Instagram/@savannahguthrie)

Savannah shared the photo with her fans in January 2020, writing, “Happy birthday to a mother like no other. My mom Nancy is my heart and my everything and my model for what a mother should be. Thank you, God, for her 78 beautiful years! Happy birthday, mama!!!”

Nancy, now 84, is believed by local authorities to have been abducted. The search for Savannah’s mom continues.

ICYMI: Cops address reports of random note in Nancy Guthrie disappearance

07:30 , Rachel Dobkin

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said Tuesday, “We are aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s) regarding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie.”

“We are taking all tips and leads very seriously,” the department added.

What has Savannah Guthrie said about her mom's disappearance?

07:00 , Rachel Dobkin

Savannah Guthrie has mostly stayed quiet as her family grapples with the disappearance of her mom Nancy.

In a faith-driven message Monday night, Savannah asked for prayers during this difficult time.

Here is her full statement:

“We believe in prayer. we believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope. we believe in goodness. we believe in humanity. above all, we believe in Him.

“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.

“‘He will keep in perfect peace those whose hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.’ a verse of Isaiah for all time for all of us.

“Bring her home.”

Police admit they ‘don’t know’ where Savannah Guthrie’s mom is as criminal investigation continues

06:30 , Andrea Cavallier

Law enforcement investigating the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, said Tuesday that they were no further forward in locating her whereabouts as the investigation entered a third day.

“We don’t know where she is,” said Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos at a press conference, acknowledging the growing urgency surrounding the disappearance of the 84-year-old grandmother.

Guthrie vanished from her Catalina Foothills home, near Tucson, Arizona, sometime late Saturday night or early Sunday morning.

The sheriff said investigators suspect she was taken against her will and believe it was a kidnapping or abduction. Nanos declined to say whether the disappearance was thought to be random or targeted or to describe the evidence found at her home.

Read on...

Police admit they ‘don’t know’ where Savannah Guthrie’s mom is as probe continues

Watch: Sheriff admits there are ‘hundreds of leads’ as Savannah Guthrie’s mom remains missing

06:00 , Rachel Dobkin

Reporter details 'concerning' observations made at Nancy Guthrie's home

05:30 , Rachel Dobkin

Briana Whitney, a reporter for Arizona’s Family, has shared “concerning” observations made at Nancy Guthrie's home.

Nancy vanished from her home in the Catalina Foothills Saturday night. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has said he believes she was “abducted.”

Whitney, who was at Nancy’s home Tuesday, told CNN later that night that there were “a couple very concerning things.”

“One of those was the alleged Ring doorbell camera that wasn’t there. This morning at the press conference, the sheriff said that they are looking into if the Ring doorbell camera was missing or taken from the home,” Whitney said.

The reporter added that what was “particularly more concerning” was “what appeared to be dried blood splatter” on the front porch.

Local authorities have not confirmed there to be blood on Nancy’s property.

“I'm not saying there's blood inside that house or outside that house,” Nanos told reporters earlier Tuesday.

ICYMI: White House responds to Nancy Guthrie's disappearance

04:55 , Rachel Dobkin

The White House responded to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance earlier Tuesday, writing on X, “Our prayers are with the Guthrie family as we hope for Nancy’s safe return home.”

Watch: Pima County official says tips on Nancy Guthrie's disappearance are 'coming from across the country'

04:35 , Rachel Dobkin

Hoda Kotb shares message about 'prayer' as Savannah Guthrie grapples with mom's disappearance

04:15 , Rachel Dobkin

Savannah Guthrie’s formerToday show co-host, Hoda Kotb, shared a message about “prayer” Tuesday night as Guthrie grapples with mom's disappearance.

“Prayer is love reaching where out hands cannot,” Kotb posted on Instagram.

In a statement Monday, Guthrie asked for people’s prayers after her mom Nancy vanished from her Arizona home Saturday night.

Kotb had commented on that post: “Non stop prayers— love you my girl xo.”

Watch: Former NYPD hostage negotiator says he thinks 'there's more than one person involved' in Nancy Guthrie's disappearance

03:55 , Rachel Dobkin

Timeline of Nancy Guthrie disappearance

03:35 , Rachel Dobkin

Here is a timeline of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance:

  • Guthrie was last seen at around 9:30 p.m. local time on Saturday at her Arizona home.
  • A family member got a call from someone saying Guthrie never showed up to church.
  • Her family reported her missing to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at around noon on Sunday.
  • Search and rescue teams searched for Guthrie all day Sunday, into the night, but could not locate her
  • Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said Monday he believes Nancy was “abducted.”
  • Nanos told reporters Tuesday that investigators still “don't know where she is.”

What happened to Savannah Guthrie’s mom? Police provide new details as search enters third day

03:15 , Craig Hoyle and Katie Hawkinson

Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, has been missing for three days, and authorities believe she has been “abducted.”

The FBI and U.S. Border Patrol are assisting Arizona police with the search, and there are increasing concerns for her well-being. Her family fears the consequences could be “fatal” if she goes more than 24 hours without essential medication.

Officials have also said that blood was found inside Nancy’s home, though it’s not clear who it belongs to, according to CBS News and the Los Angeles Times. When asked about these reports at a Tuesday press conference, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos replied: “I'm not saying there's blood inside that house or outside that house.”

Authorities have received “hundreds of leads” related to Nancy’s case, Nanos said.

“We have a team designated to deal with all of our leads. They're looking into all of that. We are sharing all of our leads with the FBI. They are helping us in evaluating those leads, how good they are, where their priority should be,” he told reporters.

Read on...

What happened to Savannah Guthrie’s mom? Police provide new details

Person close to Guthrie family says Nancy could be returned with 'no questions asked'

02:55 , Rachel Dobkin

A person close to Guthrie family has told CNN that Savannah’s missing mom Nancy could be returned with “no questions asked.”

“Whomever has her could drop her off at any fire station, any hospital, any grocery store and there would be no questions asked,” the person told CNN’s Chief Media Analyst Brian Stelter, who read the quote on The Source With Kaitlan Collins Tuesday night.

Savannah Guthrie's MS NOW friends praying for her mom's 'safe return'

02:35 , Rachel Dobkin

MS NOW’s Morning Joe hosts are praying for the “safe return” of their “dear friend” Savannah Guthrie's mom, Joe Scarborough has said.

Scarborough reported on the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie duringTuesday’s show, taking a moment to talk about his and his co-hosts Mika Brzezinski and Willie Geist’s personal ties to the Guthrie family.

“She’s a dear friend of all of ours,” Scarborough said of Savannah. “And I know Willie has worked with her even more, but, she’s been a friend of ours for, well, since the show began. She was on the show regularly, and Willie, it’s just crushing news.”

Scarborough added: “And we pray, and we’ve been praying without ceasing for her safe return.”

Geist chimed in: “And I can tell you, that’s all Savannah is asking for right now is prayer. She’s, as you both know, she’s very proud of her faith.”

Brzezinski was visibly emotional as her co-hosts talked about the Guthrie family, wiping her tears with a tissue.

Neighbors show support for Guthrie family with handmade sign

02:15 , Rachel Dobkin

Neighbors of Nancy Guthrie have shown support for her family amid her disappearance with a handmade sign.

“Dear Guthrie family, your neighbors stand with you,” the sign, placed in metro Tucson, Arizona, read.

Nancy Guthrie's neighbors show support with a handmade sign (AP/Sejal Govindarao)

Savannah’s mom vanished from her home in the Catalina Foothills Saturday night. Local authorities believe she was “abducted.”

Nancy Guthrie calls Tucson 'gentle' in resurfaced interview

01:55 , Rachel Dobkin

In a clip of a resurfaced interview between Savannah and Nancy Guthrie, the Today show star’s mom said the family settled in Tucson, Arizona, because of how “gentle” it was.

“You guys came here in the 70s, and you had been moving all around. What made you want to stay in Tucson and plant roots?” Savannah asked her mom in the clip that the Today show aired Tuesday.

Nancy replied: “It’s so wonderful. Just the air, the quality of life is laid back and gentle.”

Savannah’s mom vanished from her home in the Catalina Foothills, just outside of Tucson, Saturday night. Local authorities believe she was “abducted.”

Nancy and her husband Charles lived in Melbourne, Australia, when Savannah was born and moved to Tucson two years later, according to Page Six. Charles later died of a heart attack when Savannah was just a teenager.

Photo of Nancy Guthrie's home where she was 'abducted,' according to police

01:35 , Rachel Dobkin

Here is a photo of Nancy Guthrie's home in Arizona’s Catalina Foothills, where she was “abducted,” according to police.

Nancy Guthrie's home in Arizona’s Catalina Foothills (Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images)

Nancy vanished from her home just outside of Tucson Saturday night.

"I believe she was abducted, yes,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told CBS News Monday. "She didn't walk from there. She didn't go willingly.”

Carson Daly says he's never 'prayed for anything harder' than Nancy Guthrie's return

01:15 , Rachel Dobkin

Savannah Guthrie’s co-hosts are rallying behind the Today show star during her mom Nancy’s disappearance.

Carson Daly said on the show Tuesday that he's never “prayed for anything harder” than Nancy’s safe return.

In an Instagram post Monday night, Guthrie asked for prayers as the search continued for her mom, writing, “Bring her home.”

“Raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment,” Guthrie wrote.

Daly told her colleagues Tuesday, “I saw that post [from] Savannah last night. I hit my knees and prayed. I don’t think I’ve ever prayed for anything harder in my life.”

Watch: Trump calls Nancy Guthrie's disappearance 'terrible' and 'very unusual'

00:55 , Rachel Dobkin

Ex-FBI official says 'every hour counts' in Nancy Guthrie's disappearance

00:35 , Rachel Dobkin

Katherine Schweit, a former senior FBI official, told CNN’s Jake Tapper Tuesday that “every hour counts” in Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.

“It’s all boots on the ground — federal state and local. As many people as you need to work it, you work it,” Schweit said. “Dozens and dozens and dozens of FBI agents, I can guarantee you, are working on this along with the locals.”

Listen: 911 audio reveals fears over Nancy Guthrie's health issues after she was reported missing

00:15 , Rachel Dobkin

CNN correspondent said sheriff looked 'exasperated' in press conference about Nancy Guthrie

Tuesday 3 February 2026 23:55 , Rachel Dobkin

Josh Campbell, a CNN senior correspondent, said that Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos looked “exasperated” in a press conference earlier Tuesday about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.

“He was very exasperated in that press conference. You could tell,” Campbell told CNN’s Jake Tapper. “And I think what most people have to understand when it comes to these types of kidnapping investigations is that often times, it will take time until you find that viable lead.”

Savannah Guthrie's husband says he feels 'mostly unhelpful' amid mother-in-laws disappearance

Tuesday 3 February 2026 23:35 , Rachel Dobkin

Savannah Guthrie's husband, Michael Feldman, has said that he feels “mostly unhelpful” amid his mother-in-law Nancy’s disappearance.

Feldman told Page Six in an article published Tuesday that he’s “just being responsive” but feels “mostly unhelpful” in this situation.

Nancy was last seen on Saturday night. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said the 84-year-old was “abducted” from her Arizona home as she slept.

Savannah Guthrie and husband Michael Feldman on October 10, 2024, in New York City (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Nancy Guthrie’s ailing health flagged by police in 911 dispatch call: report

Tuesday 3 February 2026 23:15 , Katie Hawkinson

Nancy Guthrie’s health issues were flagged to police when she was reported missing, according to dispatch audio obtained by Fox News Digital.

“Nancy has high blood pressure, a pacemaker and cardiac issues,” the dispatcher reportedly said.

Watch below:

Nancy Guthrie’s ailing health flagged by police in 911 dispatch call

Full story: Savannah Guthrie pulls out of Olympics coverage amid mom’s disappearance

Tuesday 3 February 2026 23:00 , Carsen Holaday

Savannah Guthrie has dropped out of her hosting duties at the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony amid her mother’s disappearance.

The Today anchor’s mom, Nancy Guthrie, remains nowhere to be found 48 hours after she was reported missing Sunday afternoon, as police believe she was abducted from her home in the middle of the night.

Savannah, 54, was set to head to Italy for the start of the winter games Friday, but will not be traveling abroad due to the family emergency.

An NBC Sports spokesperson said in a statement shared with The Independent, “Savannah will not be joining us at the Olympics as she focuses on being with her family during this difficult time. Our hearts are with her and the entire Guthrie family as the search continues for their mother.”

Keep reading:

Savannah Guthrie pulls out of Olympics coverage amid mom’s disappearance

Police will provide another update Thursday 'unless something breaks'

Tuesday 3 February 2026 22:46 , Katie Hawkinson

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said his office plans to provide another update on Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance Thursday.

“We'll see you — unless something breaks, we’ll see you Thursday morning,” Nanos told reporters Tuesday.

Investigators have received “hundreds of leads” since Nancy disappeared over the weekend, Nanos said.

Savannah Guthrie's coworkers react to Nancy Guthrie's disappearance

Tuesday 3 February 2026 22:33 , Katie Hawkinson

Current and former colleagues of Savannah Guthrie have offered their support, with Today co-host Al Roker urging the public to help find Nancy.

“We are praying for Savannah and her family and the return of their beloved Mom, Nancy,” Roker wrote on Instagram.

NBC News’ Kristen Welker has said she is “praying” for the family.

Hoda Kotb, Savannah’s former Today co-host, shared a photo of Nancy on Instagram, including the sheriff’s department's phone number, writing: “If you know anything.. pls help.”

Trump calls Nancy Guthrie's disappearance 'terrible'

Tuesday 3 February 2026 22:01 , Katie Hawkinson

President Donald Trump told reporters Tuesday that Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance is “terrible.”

“I think it's a terrible thing. I always got along very good with Savannah [Guthrie]. Very unusual situation,” he said. “But we're going to find out.

The White House shared a plea for information on Nancy’s disappearance earlier Tuesday.

“Anyone with information is urged to contact 911. Our prayers are with the Guthrie family as we hope for Nancy’s safe return home,” the White House posted on X.

President Donald Trump told reporters Nancy Guthrie's disappearance is 'terrible' (REUTERS)

NBC confirms Savannah Guthrie 'will not be joining us at the Olympics'

Tuesday 3 February 2026 21:52 , Katie Hawkinson

Savannah Guthrie will not be joining NBC Sports to cover the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony, a spokesperson has confirmed.

“Savannah will not be joining us at the Olympics as she focuses on being with her family during this difficult time. Our hearts are with her and the entire Guthrie family as the search continues for their mother. We will share additional information about our Opening Ceremony coverage plans soon,” the NBC Sports spokesperson said.

Earlier reports suggested Savannah could drop out of her hosting duties as the search continues for her mom, 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie.

Police have 'turned over' Nancy Guthrie's home to family

Tuesday 3 February 2026 21:36 , Katie Hawkinson

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said his team is “done” with Nancy Guthrie’s residence in Catalina Foothills, adding that it was turned over to her family yesterday.

“The scene is done. We're done with the residence. If we need to go back to get — maybe we want to do something with some other piece of evidence there, we contact the family and let them know. But we’ve turned that over to the family,” he told reporters Tuesday.

Sheriff says he's 'aware' of reports about 'possible ransom note(s)'

Tuesday 3 February 2026 21:12 , Katie Hawkinson

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said Tuesday he’s “aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s) regarding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie.”

“We are taking all tips and leads very seriously. Anything that comes in, goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI,” Nanos said in a statement.

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