The frantic search for Nancy Guthrie, 84, the mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, has entered its sixth day. She disappeared early Sunday morning from her home just outside of Tucson, Arizona.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter flies over the home of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of U.S. journalist and television host Savannah Guthrie, who went missing over the weekend, in Tucson, Arizona, U.S., February 6, 2026. (REUTERS)Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said Thursday that authorities believe Nancy was taken against her will. DNA testing confirmed that the blood found on her front porch matched hers. So far, investigators have not identified or ruled out any suspects.
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Questions about early reactionsA source close to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department told the Daily Mail that serious missteps early in the investigation could hamper the investigation. Crime scene management and conflicting public statements slowed the initial response, according to insiders.
Most notably, a fixed-wing Cessna aircraft, known as Survey 1, equipped with a high-resolution thermal imaging camera capable of scanning large areas of desert terrain, was grounded for about half a day.
According to Sergeant Aaron Cross, president of the Pima County Sheriff’s Deputies Association, the aircraft is considered “Southern Arizona’s most valuable law enforcement asset.”
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Ransom notes and new leadsAt least three media organizations have reported receiving the alleged ransom notes and handing them over to investigators. Sheriff Nanos said one of the notes was determined to be counterfeit, leading to his arrest. Officials did not release further details.
On Friday, authorities confirmed they had received a new message about the case.
“The FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department are aware of a new message regarding Nancy Guthrie. Investigators are actively verifying the information contained in the message,” the department said in a post on X.
“Although this is new information, the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department are still asking anyone with tips to contact the FBI at 1-800-Cal-FBI. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the recovery and/or arrest of anyone involved in the arrest of Nancy Guthrie.”
The investigation is ongoing.
