The desperate search for Savannah Guthrie’s 84-year-old mother enters its second week with chilling new developments

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has deployed deputies to stand guard at the Tucson, Arizona home of Nancy Guthrie around the clock — a dramatic escalation that came directly at the request of her famous daughter, “TODAY” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, and the rest of the Guthrie family.
The move signals a troubling new chapter in a case that has gripped the nation since the 84-year-old grandmother vanished without a trace on the night of January 31, 2026.
“At the request of the Guthrie family, PCSD will maintain a presence at Nancy Guthrie’s residence for security,” the sheriff’s department announced on social media on Sunday, February 8. The statement also carried a firm warning: “No trespassing is allowed on the Guthrie property. Violations are subject to enforcement.”
The sheriff’s department will now replace private security guards who had been previously hired to watch over the property — a shift that underscores just how seriously both the family and law enforcement are treating the situation as the investigation stretches beyond the ten-day mark.
A Night That Changed Everything
Nancy Guthrie’s final known moments played out like any other quiet evening. On Saturday, January 31, the beloved mother of three — Savannah, Annie, and Camron — enjoyed dinner and a round of games with family at her daughter Annie’s home in Tucson. Annie’s husband, Tommaso Cioni, drove Nancy back to her residence in the Catalina Foothills, an unincorporated community north of Tucson, arriving at approximately 9:48 p.m.
Then came a series of chilling time stamps that have haunted investigators ever since.
At 1:47 a.m. on February 1, Nancy’s doorbell camera disconnected. That camera has never been recovered. At 2:12 a.m., software on one of the home’s other cameras detected the presence of a person — but no video footage was saved because the subscription service was not active. By 2:28 a.m., Nancy’s pacemaker — a device she depends on for her heart — disconnected from the monitoring app on her phone.
When Nancy failed to appear at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church the following morning — a routine she had maintained for approximately 30 years — fellow parishioners alerted her family. Her children rushed to check on her and called 911 at 12:03 p.m.
What deputies found when they arrived was alarming. Blood was discovered on the front porch. DNA testing confirmed it belonged to Nancy. A security camera was missing from the front of the house. Her wallet, cellphone, and personal belongings were left behind. Her car remained in the garage.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos delivered a blunt assessment: “We do believe that Nancy was taken from her home against her will.”
Investigators Leave No Stone Unturned
In the days since Nancy’s disappearance, law enforcement has returned to the property repeatedly, each visit revealing new layers to the investigation.
On February 7, officers conducted a late-night search at the home belonging to Nancy’s daughter Annie and her husband Tommaso Cioni — located approximately four miles from Nancy’s residence. Investigators were photographed leaving the property wearing gloves and carrying brown evidence bags, reportedly staying until roughly 10:30 p.m.
The following day, drone footage captured one of the most striking images of the investigation so far: three officers opening a manhole cover behind Nancy’s house and probing a septic tank with a long pole. They reportedly left empty-handed.
NBC News video also showed a car being towed from Nancy’s residence as the FBI processed the home as a crime scene. Additionally, reports emerged of investigators recovering a “silver briefcase” from the property — though authorities have not disclosed its significance.
A neighbor’s observation also prompted a closer look at the rooftop, where investigators reportedly examined cameras for potential evidence.
Ransom Notes, Bitcoin Demands, and a Family’s Anguish
Perhaps the most disturbing development in the case has been the emergence of multiple ransom notes — at least three separate communications sent to local media outlets and family members.
The FBI confirmed that one note demanded millions of dollars in bitcoin by a 5 p.m. deadline on Thursday, February 5. A second deadline was reportedly set for Monday, February 9, with Tucson ABC affiliate KGUN9 reporting a demand of $6 million in bitcoin.
The notes were described as well-written and containing insider details about the crime scene — including references to an Apple Watch and a broken floodlight — information that FBI Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke acknowledged was publicly available.
Complicating matters, a man was arrested in Los Angeles on Thursday for sending texts to the Guthrie family demanding bitcoin — messages the FBI determined were not connected to the original ransom demand. Janke warned that impostors sending fake ransom letters would be “held accountable.”
The family’s response has been extraordinary in its raw emotion. Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have released four video messages since the disappearance — each one escalating in desperation.
In the most recent video on February 7, Savannah sat flanked by Annie and Camron, holding hands, and spoke directly to whoever may be holding their mother: “We received your message and we understand. We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.”
By Monday, February 9, Savannah appeared alone in a new video, her tone shifting from negotiation to public plea: “We believe our mom is still out there. We are at an hour of desperation, and we need your help.”
Growing Concerns About Nancy’s Health
Time is not on the investigators’ side. Nancy Guthrie requires daily medication that family members say could be fatal to miss. She also has a pacemaker — the same device that disconnected from its monitoring app in the early morning hours of her disappearance.
While Sheriff Nanos has described Nancy as “sharp as a tack” with no cognitive issues, he acknowledged her limited mobility. “She couldn’t walk 50 yards by herself,” he said, relaying what the family had told him.
The FBI has cautioned that verifying any proof of life from the alleged captors could be complicated by artificial intelligence capabilities. “We live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated,” Savannah Guthrie herself noted in one of her earlier video appeals.
A National Spotlight
The case has drawn attention from the highest levels of government. President Donald Trump called Savannah Guthrie directly on February 4, directing all federal law enforcement to be at the family’s “complete disposal, IMMEDIATELY.” Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said investigators have “very strong” clues and suggested answers could come soon.
The FBI has deployed additional personnel from across the nation to assist in the Tucson-based investigation and is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy’s recovery or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved.
Despite the massive resources committed to the case, as of February 10, no suspects, persons of interest, or vehicles have been identified. The investigation remains active and ongoing across multiple locations.
Former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker publicly voiced skepticism about the kidnapping narrative on Fox News, questioning whether the case is truly an abduction. Meanwhile, former CIA agent and Arizona Department of Homeland Security Director Tim Roemer suggested that investigators may be waiting for a “human error” by the perpetrators to crack the case.
What Comes Next
As the search enters its second week, the community around Nancy Guthrie has rallied. Neighbors have placed signs of support near her driveway. Her church has held dedicated prayers. The Catalina Foothills Association has written to residents urging cooperation with investigators.
But the questions remain staggering in their scope: Who took Nancy Guthrie from her home in the dead of night? Are the ransom notes legitimate? Is she still alive? And what evidence has been collected from the multiple searches of her property and her daughter’s home?
With police now stationed permanently at the residence and a $6 million ransom deadline having passed, the case stands at a critical juncture. Every hour that passes without answers weighs heavily on a family that has laid bare its anguish for the world to see.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.