Nancy Guthrie Kidnapped at 84
On February 1, 2026, Nancy Guthrie — 84 years old, mother of NBC News anchor Savannah Guthrie — was reported missing from her home in Catalina Foothills, Arizona. Blood was found at the scene. The Pima County sheriff stated she had been taken against her will.
Twelve days later, she has not been found.
What Happened
The FBI released security footage showing a masked individual wearing gloves and a backpack who appeared to tamper with the camera at Guthrie's front door on the morning she disappeared. Multiple ransom notes demanding cryptocurrency have been received, with at least two deadlines that have passed without resolution.
Over 4,000 tips have come in to the FBI's tip line. SWAT teams have executed search warrants. Agents canvassed roadways around the Catalina Foothills neighborhood. A person of interest was detained for questioning and released.
CBS News: Nancy Guthrie Search Continues as FBI Canvasses Roadways
The Family's Response
Savannah Guthrie stepped away from her NBC duties, including co-hosting the opening ceremonies of the 2026 Winter Olympics, to assist in the search. On February 7, she and her siblings released a video directed at whoever is responsible:
The video was unusual — a family with access to national media addressing unknown kidnappers directly, offering payment on camera.
What We Know
Nancy Guthrie is 84 years old and lives alone. The blood found at the scene was confirmed as hers. Ransom demands have been made in cryptocurrency, suggesting the perpetrator is at least somewhat technically literate. The FBI's behavioral analysis unit is involved. No suspects have been publicly identified.
The case has drawn comparisons to other high-profile kidnapping-for-ransom cases, though the targeting of an elderly mother of a public figure is unusual in the modern era. Most ransom kidnappings target individuals with direct access to wealth, not their relatives.
NPR: Nancy Guthrie Search Enters Second Week
The Open Questions
How did the kidnapper know where Nancy Guthrie lived? How did they know her daily routine? Was this targeted because of Savannah Guthrie's public profile, or was Nancy Guthrie targeted for another reason? The crypto ransom demands suggest planning. The camera tampering suggests reconnaissance. This was not random.
The FBI is asking anyone with information to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI.
ABC News: Nancy Guthrie Abduction - The Full Timeline