The FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie from her Catalina Foothills home as a possible kidnapping. Overnight surveillance showed suspicious activity, Guthrie's pacemaker stopped communicating early Sunday, and blood at the scene tested positive for her DNA. Reported ransom notes are under FBI review, no suspect has been publicly identified, and a $50,000 reward has been offered for information.
Search Continues for Nancy Guthrie: FBI Probes Possible Abduction, Ransom Notes Under Review
A sign is posted at the house of Nancy Guthrie, NBC host Savannah Guthrie's mother, in Catalina, Ariz., on Feb. 3. (Jan Sonnenmair / Getty Images)(Jan Sonnenmair)
The search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC 'TODAY' co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, remains active as investigators probe a possible kidnapping from her Catalina Foothills home north of Tucson, Arizona. Authorities say surveillance devices recorded suspicious activity overnight, a pacemaker stopped communicating early Sunday, and blood found outside the residence tested positive for her DNA.
Timeline of Key Events (All Times Mountain Time)
- 5:32 p.m. — Guthrie left home in an Uber to visit family for dinner and games. Investigators have interviewed the driver.
- 9:48 p.m. — She was dropped off at her house. The garage door opened then closed two minutes later.
- 1:47 a.m. — A doorbell camera at the home was disconnected; the device has not been recovered.
- 2:12 a.m. — Home camera software registered a person on camera, but no usable video has been recovered; investigators say an animal trigger is possible.
- 2:28 a.m. — Guthrie's pacemaker stopped communicating with its monitoring app on her phone.
- 11:56 a.m. — Family members visited the home and discovered Guthrie was missing.
- 12:03 p.m. — A 911 call was placed; deputies arrived about 10 minutes later.
What Authorities Have Said
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has described the disappearance as a possible kidnapping or abduction. Investigators found blood on the porch that tested positive for Guthrie's DNA. Law enforcement has not publicly confirmed whether there was forced entry. Guthrie's cellphone was left at the residence and is now in authorities' possession.
Sheriff Nanos characterized Guthrie as 'sharp as a tack' — she does not have known cognitive impairment — but he noted she has limited mobility and requires daily medication, which her family says is essential for her survival and to prevent severe suffering. Guthrie also has a pacemaker, which stopped reporting to its monitoring app early Sunday.
Ransom Notes and FBI Involvement
Reports say ransom notes referencing Nancy Guthrie were sent to multiple news outlets. The FBI is investigating at least one reported demand that included monetary language and deadlines; agents say some notes mentioned items such as an Apple Watch and a floodlight. Investigators have said the notes did not establish a direct means of communication. The FBI is treating the threats seriously while warning that hoax communications could lead to criminal charges.
Heith Janke, special agent in charge of the FBI's Phoenix division, confirmed agents are analyzing the notes and other leads. Federal agents and analysts from the FBI's Phoenix office are working jointly with the Pima County Sheriff's Department, reviewing digital records, bank information, social media and phone-company data to build Guthrie's digital footprint.
Members of the press work outside the home of Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of “TODAY” show host Savannah Guthrie, on Feb. 5 in Tucson, Ariz. (Caitlin O'Hara / AP)(Caitlin O'Hara)
Other Leads and Developments
Video and photo records obtained by NBC News show a vehicle being towed from Guthrie's home as the FBI processed the scene; the vehicle had been seen in her garage and is believed to belong to her. Law enforcement also investigated a vehicle of interest in Arizona after tips led agents to review surveillance footage from a Circle K on Oracle Road in Tucson.
Authorities arrested a man in Los Angeles who is accused of sending texts to the Guthrie family about bitcoin referenced in a reported ransom demand; those messages are not linked to an earlier reported ransom demand. Investigators continue to follow multiple leads and have said no suspects or persons of interest have been publicly identified or ruled out.
Family Pleas, Public Response and Reward
In an emotional Instagram video, Savannah Guthrie urged whoever may be holding her mother to make contact and stressed Nancy's fragile health and urgent need for medication. Her son Camron posted a video asking for a way to communicate with whoever might have Nancy.
The FBI announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to Guthrie's recovery. Authorities ask anyone with tips to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit information at tips.fbi.gov.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com.
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