When Nancy Guthrie’s church friends called her family on Sunday morning, February 1st, to report she hadn’t shown up for services, alarm bells immediately rang. The 84-year-old woman of deep faith had never missed church without explanation. Within hours, what began as a wellness check would transform into a criminal investigation that has captured national attention and left NBC’s TODAY show anchor Savannah Guthrie in every parent’s worst nightmare.
Four days later, as authorities continue their intensive search, the Guthrie family remains united in faith and hope, even as investigators paint an increasingly troubling picture of what may have happened that Saturday night in the quiet Catalina Foothills neighborhood outside Tucson, Arizona.
A Routine Evening That Ended in Mystery
The timeline of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance reads like the beginning of a crime thriller, except this isn’t fiction—it’s the agonizing reality facing one of America’s most recognizable television families.
Saturday evening, January 31st, started like countless others. Nancy enjoyed dinner with family members, who drove her home to her residence near the intersection of East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue. Between 9:30 and 9:45 PM, relatives walked her to the door, ensuring she entered safely. Neighbors later confirmed seeing her checking her mail that same day. Everything seemed normal in the desert landscape neighborhood where retirees live among thick cholla cactus and homes are separated by enough distance to provide privacy.
But sometime during the overnight hours, something went terribly wrong.
When Sunday morning arrived and Nancy didn’t appear at her regular church service, concerned congregants immediately contacted her children. The family rushed to her home around 11 AM, searching the property before making the call no one wants to make—dialing 911 to report a loved one missing.
What deputies discovered when they arrived would transform this from a missing persons case into something far more sinister.
“We Do, In Fact, Have a Crime”
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos didn’t mince words during his first press conference on Monday, February 2nd. Standing before cameras with the weight of a community’s concern on his shoulders, he delivered the news that sent shockwaves through the nation.
“We saw some things at the home that were concerning to us,” Nanos told reporters, his voice carrying the gravity of the situation. “We believe now after we’ve processed that crime scene that we do in fact have a crime scene, that we do in fact have a crime.”
The evidence painted a chilling picture. Law enforcement sources revealed that blood drops created a trail from the entryway down the home’s pathway toward the driveway. DNA samples recovered from the scene were later confirmed to belong to Nancy Guthrie, though authorities have not specified whether these samples were blood or other biological material. Perhaps most disturbing, a security camera that had been mounted at the front of the house was missing—suggesting whoever took Nancy had planned carefully enough to eliminate evidence.
The sheriff was unequivocal in his assessment: “We believe she was taken out of the home against her will, and that’s how this investigation is moving.”
During subsequent press conferences, Nanos painted an even clearer picture of what investigators believe occurred. Nancy Guthrie was “physically removed from that home,” he stated, emphasizing the violent nature of her departure. The fact that her phone, wallet, keys, and vehicle all remained at the residence eliminated any possibility that she had left voluntarily or simply wandered away.
“She didn’t walk from there. She didn’t go willingly,” Nanos told CBS News, adding the heartbreaking detail that Nancy “could not walk 50 yards by herself” due to her mobility limitations.
A Race Against Time
Beyond the violence suggested by the crime scene, investigators face another urgent concern that adds desperate urgency to their search: Nancy Guthrie’s medical needs.
Sheriff Nanos revealed a sobering reality during his briefings. Nancy requires daily medication, and without it, the consequences could be fatal within 24 hours. “The clock is literally ticking,” Nanos emphasized. “You’ve placed her in great jeopardy without giving her meds that are critical to her. Again, like I’ve said, could be fatal if she doesn’t get those meds.”
While Nancy has significant physical limitations that restrict her mobility, her mental faculties remain completely intact. “Nancy Guthrie is of great sound mind. This is not a dementia-related” case, Nanos stressed repeatedly. “She is as sharp as a tack.” This assessment is crucial—it means Nancy Guthrie didn’t wander away confused. Someone took her against her will, and she likely knew exactly what was happening.
The sheriff has emphasized Nancy’s inability to have left on her own power. “The family wants everyone to know that this isn’t someone who just wandered off,” he stated firmly, directing resources toward finding whoever forcibly removed an elderly woman from her home rather than conducting a traditional search-and-rescue operation.
A High-Tech Investigation in a Neighborly Community
The Catalina Foothills neighborhood where Nancy lives presents both advantages and challenges for investigators. The affluent area north of Tucson is home to many older, retired couples who appreciate the privacy afforded by desert landscaping and spacious lots. Yet this same privacy that makes it an attractive place to live also creates blind spots for investigators.
“There’s desert landscape between the homes, thick with cholla cactus,” reporter L.M. Boyd from Arizona Public Media observed while visiting the area. “I saw some folks walking their dogs. But the layout of this neighborhood creates a lot of privacy.”
This geographic reality has made the investigation heavily dependent on technology. “We are at a time where, in this investigation, we need to depend on technology” such as license plate readers and surveillance cameras, Nanos explained. His department has canvassed the surrounding neighborhood, asking residents to review doorbell cameras and other recording devices for any potential sightings.
The investigation initially deployed extensive resources—drones, a helicopter, an airplane, search-and-rescue dogs, volunteers, and even U.S. Border Patrol canine units combed the area. However, by Monday, authorities shifted their focus from search-and-rescue to criminal investigation, recognizing they were looking for an abductor, not a lost person.
The FBI joined the investigation, providing crucial support including cell phone data analysis, cell tower information, forensic analysis, and additional interview capabilities. Jon Edwards, the assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s Tucson office, confirmed his agency’s involvement during a February 3rd press conference, though he provided few specifics about their findings.
Investigators are examining multiple questions: How many people were involved? Was Nancy taken in a vehicle, and if so, what kind? What was she wearing when taken? The missing security camera suggests premeditation, raising questions about whether the perpetrator knew Nancy’s routine, the layout of her home, or had surveilled her beforehand.
Ransom Notes and False Leads
On Tuesday, February 3rd, the investigation took another disturbing turn when multiple ransom notes surfaced, demanding Bitcoin payments “in the millions” for Nancy’s safe return.
Sheriff Nanos confirmed that at least one local television station received a ransom note on Monday that contained specific details about Nancy’s home and what she was reportedly wearing that night. CBS affiliate KOLD-TV acknowledged receiving an email “that appears to be one of the alleged ransom notes,” which they immediately forwarded to authorities.
TMZ subsequently obtained and published details about the ransom demands before contacting the sheriff’s office—a development that frustrated investigators who had hoped to keep this information from becoming public during the sensitive early stages of the investigation. The FBI reviewed the correspondence and made the decision to share the information with Savannah Guthrie and her family.
“It’s like any piece of evidence,” Nanos told CBS News regarding the ransom notes. “You give it to us, you give us a lead, we’re going to look at every aspect of that lead.” However, he cautioned that investigators are still working to determine the legitimacy of these demands and whether they genuinely came from whoever took Nancy.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department posted on social media that they are “aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s)” and that “Anything that comes in, goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI.”
Adding to the complexity, by Wednesday, February 4th, the sheriff’s office felt compelled to address another issue complicating their investigation: false information and unsubstantiated accusations circulating on social media and in some media outlets.
“At this point, investigators have not identified a suspect or person of interest in this case,” the department stated firmly on Facebook. “While we appreciate the public’s concern, the sharing of unverified accusations or false information is irresponsible and does not assist the investigation.”
The statement appeared to address speculation about family members, particularly after podcaster Ashleigh Banfield claimed on her show “Drop Dead Serious” that a law enforcement source told her that Annie Guthrie’s husband, Tommaso Cioni, was a “prime suspect” and that investigators had seized his vehicle. Cioni had been the last family member to see Nancy, dropping her off after dinner on Saturday evening.
Sheriff Nanos firmly rejected these claims, telling reporters his office could not confirm that any vehicle had been seized and emphasizing that Cioni, like other family members, is cooperating fully with the investigation. “Detectives continue to speak with anyone who may have had contact with Mrs. Guthrie,” the department’s statement read. “Detectives are working closely with the Guthrie family.”
The FBI was observed visiting the home of Savannah’s sister Annie on Tuesday, spending approximately two hours at the residence—standard operating procedure in investigations of this nature, where authorities interview all family members and examine any locations Nancy visited in her final known hours.
A Foundation Built on Faith
To understand the anguish this disappearance has caused, one must understand who Nancy Guthrie is beyond the headlines—a woman whose life has been defined by faith, resilience, and selfless devotion to her children.
Nancy raised three children: Annie, Charles Camron, and Savannah (the youngest) in the Tucson area. Her husband, Charles Guthrie, died suddenly in 1988 when Savannah was just 16 years old, leaving Nancy to navigate single parenthood during her children’s most formative years.
“I remember being asked by friends, ‘How can you still believe?'” Savannah recalled in a 2024 conversation about her father’s death. “And I remember saying, ‘Oh, no. This is when I need him the most. I can’t lose my dad and lose God at the same time.'”
That unwavering faith came directly from Nancy, who Savannah has repeatedly credited as the most important influence in her life. “The greatest gift my mother gave me was faith and belief in God. It changed my whole life,” Savannah said during a 2023 TODAY show segment.
After her husband’s death, Nancy worked in public relations at the University of Arizona specifically to ensure her children could attend college tuition-free. Both Annie and Savannah chose to live at home during their college years, wanting to ensure their mother wasn’t alone on weekends. It was Nancy who encouraged Savannah to take journalism classes—a suggestion that ultimately launched one of the most successful broadcasting careers in television news.
“She has met unthinkable challenges in her life with grit, without self-pity, with determination and always, always with unshakeable faith,” Savannah said during her mother’s 80th birthday tribute in 2022. “She loves us, her family, fiercely, and her selflessness and sacrifice for us, her steadfastness and her unmovable confidence, is the reason any of us grew up to do anything.”
Nancy’s faith remained central to her life well into her 80s. She was a regular attendee at her local church, where fellow congregants knew her well enough to immediately notice her absence that Sunday morning. In a Mother’s Day tribute posted to Instagram in 2024, Savannah called her mother “God’s first, best and most important gift to me.”
This spiritual foundation has become the family’s anchor as they navigate the nightmare of her disappearance.
“We Believe in Prayer”
On Monday evening, February 2nd—less than 48 hours after authorities confirmed they believed Nancy had been abducted—Savannah Guthrie broke her public silence with a message that resonated far beyond her 1.5 million Instagram followers.
“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,” she wrote, accompanied by an image and prayer. “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.”
She concluded with a verse from Isaiah: “‘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.”
The post drew an immediate and overwhelming response. Churches across the country—from New York to California—added Nancy Guthrie to their prayer lists. Savannah’s TODAY show colleagues rallied around her, dedicating segments to discussing faith during trials.
“All of her friends are rallying, and know that the way that we can help her is to pray,” co-host Jenna Bush Hager said during Wednesday’s broadcast. “Her faith leads us, and Nancy leads us as well.”
Bush Hager revealed she had attended church with Savannah and spoke emotionally about witnessing her colleague’s devotion. Co-host Craig Melvin shared wisdom from his own pastor: “It’s easy to be faithful when things are going well in your life. It’s easy to be faithful when you’re at the mountain, top of the mountain, but the God of the mountain is the God of the valley.”
Carson Daly added, “It’s easy to be pessimistic and negative at a time like this, but I feel like you have the same option to still think about a positive outcome. I know these hours and days goes by, that feels harder, but we still have that ability. You know, through our faith, think let’s get Nancy home.”
Even President Donald Trump weighed in, calling the situation “terrible” and stating he planned to call Savannah personally to offer support.
A Career Interrupted
The timing of Nancy’s disappearance could not have been more devastating for Savannah professionally. She was scheduled to travel to Italy for NBC’s coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, set to co-host the opening ceremony on Friday, February 7th.
NBC Sports quickly issued a statement: “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.”
Savannah’s husband, Michael Feldman, whom she married in 2014, has remained largely out of the public eye during the crisis but has been described as providing steadfast support. The couple has two children who are now old enough to understand the gravity of what their grandmother is facing.
For NBC News and the TODAY show, Nancy’s disappearance has been deeply personal. She has made multiple appearances on the program over the years, including a 2015 segment filmed in Australia where the show traveled to explore Savannah’s roots, and a 2023 Mother’s Day feature. Co-host Jenna Bush Hager spoke for many when she said during Tuesday’s broadcast, “For all of us who’ve gotten to know her and love her, it is personal.”
Sheriff Nanos acknowledged the unique pressures of this high-profile case. “This is just really sad for our community,” he told NBC News. “Savannah is family to us. She’s a big part of this community. Her family is devastated, the entire family. And you know, this just doesn’t happen in Tucson.”
Savannah graduated from the University of Arizona and worked for Arizona Public Media’s “Arizona Illustrated” in her early journalism career, maintaining deep ties to the Tucson community throughout her rise to national prominence.
The Investigation Continues
As of February 4th, 2026, Nancy Guthrie remains missing. Investigators have processed her home completely—”The scene is done. We’re done with the residence,” Sheriff Nanos announced during a Tuesday press conference—and are now focused on analyzing forensic evidence, electronic data, and following up on tips from the public.
A reward of up to $2,500 has been posted for information leading to an arrest in the case. Authorities continue to urge anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900, emphasizing that even seemingly insignificant details could prove crucial.
The investigation faces challenges unique to modern criminal cases. Surveillance video from Nancy’s home security system has yielded nothing so far—investigators believe the system may have been set to automatically delete footage after a short period, and they’re now attempting to recover it through forensic means. The missing front-door camera suggests whoever took Nancy understood how to disable or remove recording devices.
Sheriff Nanos has been careful not to speculate about motive. When asked whether Nancy might have been targeted because of her famous daughter, he acknowledged, “We can’t dismiss that. We will certainly look at that and we’ll see, was she being stalked? Did she have some people out there harassing her or something?” However, he noted there’s no initial evidence suggesting Nancy had received threats or was being harassed prior to her abduction.
The sheriff has also sought to reassure the broader community while acknowledging the reality of the crime. “When you say a threat to the public, is there somebody out there who’s kidnapping elderly people in the middle of the night every night? We’ve not heard that,” Nanos told reporters. “We don’t believe that’s the case.”
A Community Holds Its Breath
In the Catalina Foothills neighborhood where Nancy lived, residents have rallied in support. Yellow ribbons and signs expressing hope for her safe return have appeared on properties. Neighbors who declined to be identified by name told reporters they’re shocked something like this could happen in their quiet community.
“Nancy is a longtime neighbor and dear friend, and we are all worried about her,” one neighbor told reporters. “We live on the same street. [We are] in complete shock and very concerned. I just saw her two days ago [on Saturday] checking her mail.”
The broader Tucson community, which claims Savannah Guthrie as one of their own, has mobilized as well. Local television stations have provided continuous updates, and social media has been flooded with messages of support and prayers for Nancy’s safe return.
Nationally, the story has captured attention not just because of Savannah’s prominence but because it touches on fears many families harbor—the vulnerability of elderly loved ones living alone, the possibility of random violence, and the helplessness of waiting for answers when someone you love disappears.
Faith in the Valley
As the days stretch on, the Guthrie family continues to lean on the faith that has sustained them through previous tragedies. Savannah has published two books about her spiritual journey—”Mostly What God Does: Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere” in 2024, and a children’s book titled “Mostly What God Does is Love You” earlier this year.
That faith is being tested now in ways that would break many families. But those who know the Guthries say they’re drawing strength from the same source that sustained them when Charles Guthrie died suddenly decades ago—an unshakeable belief that God works even in the darkest valleys.
“She’s lived a life of integrity and loyalty,” Savannah said about her mother four years ago. “She’s a truth teller, whether you really want to hear the truth or not… a woman of great faith.”
Now, as hundreds of thousands of people across the nation pray for Nancy Guthrie’s safe return, that description takes on profound meaning. A woman who has spent 84 years building her life on faith now needs that faith—and the prayers of countless others—to carry her through whatever ordeal she’s facing.
Sheriff Nanos’s words carry particular weight: “We do believe that Nancy was taken from her home against her will, and that’s where we’re at.” But it’s Savannah’s words that capture what millions are hoping for: “Bring her home.”
As this story continues to unfold, investigators work around the clock following every lead, analyzing every piece of evidence, and pursuing every possible avenue to find Nancy Guthrie. The FBI’s involvement brings additional resources and expertise to bear on a case that grows more concerning with each passing day.
For now, a family waits. A community prays. And somewhere, an 84-year-old woman who has lived a life defined by faith, resilience, and devotion to family needs that same community to help bring her home.
Anyone with information about Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department immediately at 520-351-4900. In cases like these, even the smallest detail could make the difference between tragedy and reunion.