In Catalina Foothills outside Tucson, 84‑year‑old Nancy Guthrie was reported missing from her home. Within hours, what might have started as a simple welfare check turned into a case involving local deputies, federal agents, national media, and even the White House.
Nancy is the mother of three, including NBC News journalist and Today co‑anchor Savannah Guthrie. Family and friends describe her as mentally sharp, rooted in faith and community, but physically fragile. She lives alone, depends on daily medication, moves with difficulty, and relies on a pacemaker to keep her heart stable.
The Last Evening With Family
On Saturday, January 31, 2026, Nancy left her home by Uber to have dinner at her daughter Annie’s house. She spent the evening surrounded by family. Later that night, Annie’s husband, Tommaso Cioni, drove her back to her home in the foothills shortly before 10 p.m.
According to the official timeline later released by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, the drop‑off and the closing of Nancy’s garage door around that time are the last confirmed moments when she was known to be safe. After that, there is only silence and, later, a trail of troubling clues.
A Missing Churchgoer and a 911 Call
The next morning, the first sign that something was wrong came from church. Nancy was a regular at Sunday services. When she did not arrive as expected, a concerned church member contacted her family.
Relatives drove to her home late that morning. They searched the house and yard but could not find her. Her phone and other personal belongings were still inside, suggesting she had not gone out on a simple errand or walk. Around noon, the family called 911.
Deputies from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department arrived shortly afterward. It did not take them long to conclude that this was no ordinary missing‑person case.
A Home Treated as a Crime Scene
Inside and around the house, investigators found details that did not match the idea of an elderly woman quietly slipping away. Nancy’s limited mobility made it unlikely that she had simply walked off on her own.
Officers discovered blood near the entrance of the home. Forensic testing later confirmed it belonged to Nancy. Television cameras outside appeared to capture traces of blood close to the front door. A video doorbell camera had been removed or disabled, and personal items had been left behind.
Sheriff Chris Nanos later said investigators believed Nancy had been taken “against her will,” possibly in the middle of the night, adding that “she couldn’t walk 50 yards by herself.” The search effort quickly shifted into a criminal investigation. Homicide detectives joined the case, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation stepped in to assist.
Ransom Notes, Leads, and Doubt
As detectives canvassed the neighborhood, reviewed digital records, and pulled footage from nearby cameras, another layer of complexity emerged. Media outlets began reporting that they had received ransom notes demanding money, some mentioning large cryptocurrency payments and strict deadlines.
Some of the messages appeared to include details about Nancy’s home and clothing, while others raised suspicions that they might be hoaxes or attempts to exploit a desperate family. Federal investigators examined each note, trying to determine which, if any, could be traced to someone actually holding Nancy.
A Family’s Plea and a Nation Watching
While law enforcement pursued leads, Nancy’s children stepped in front of cameras to speak directly to whoever might be responsible. In one video statement, Savannah Guthrie said, “We want to hear from you, and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us.”
In another message recorded with her siblings, Savannah pleaded for their mother’s return, saying, “We received your message and we understand… we beg you now to return our mother to us.” She stepped away from her broadcasting duties, including planned coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, to focus entirely on the search.
The FBI released still images and later video from a doorbell camera showing a masked, armed figure with a backpack at Nancy’s front door in the early‑morning hours. Officials hope that someone, somewhere, will recognize the person in those frames.
An Unresolved Mystery
As of mid‑February 2026, Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts and condition remain unknown. Investigators continue to treat her disappearance as a serious, active case. For her family, the story is not a headline or a briefing. It is a waiting game filled with fear, faith, and the hope that one more phone call or one more tip will finally bring Nancy home.
