Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, remains missing more than seven months after disappearing from her home in Tucson, Arizona. Nancy, 84, was last seen on the evening of January 31, 2026, and authorities believe she was taken against her will.
The case has involved the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI, along with extensive searches, surveillance footage, forensic evidence and public appeals for information. Despite the investigation continuing for months, authorities have not publicly identified a suspect or confirmed Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts.
The disappearance has received national attention because Nancy is the mother of Savannah Guthrie, the longtime NBC Today co-anchor. Savannah and her family have repeatedly asked the public to help bring Nancy home.
Here is what is known about the Savannah Guthrie mom missing case, including the latest developments, the investigation and the unanswered questions surrounding Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.
Who Is Nancy Guthrie?
Nancy Guthrie is the 84-year-old mother of Savannah Guthrie, who is best known as a co-anchor of NBC’s Today.
Nancy lived in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson, Arizona. According to the FBI, she is considered a vulnerable adult and has difficulty walking, uses a pacemaker and requires daily medication for a heart condition.
Those medical needs made her disappearance particularly concerning to investigators and her family.
Nancy was last seen after spending the evening with family on January 31. Investigators later determined that she was missing after she failed to appear for a regular Sunday activity.
The FBI’s missing-person information lists January 31, 2026, as the date associated with her disappearance and identifies Tucson, Arizona, as the location.
When Did Savannah Guthrie’s Mom Go Missing?
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her Tucson-area home on the night of January 31, 2026.
According to the official timeline reported by PBS, Nancy had dinner with family on January 31. She was taken back to her home at approximately 9:48 p.m., and the garage door closed shortly afterward.
The next morning, investigators believe something happened at the home during the early hours.
At approximately 1:47 a.m., Nancy’s doorbell camera was disconnected. A motion alert was later detected, although video was unavailable because footage had not been saved under the camera’s subscription plan. Her pacemaker app also disconnected from her phone around 2:28 a.m.
Nancy was subsequently reported missing after she failed to appear as expected.
Investigators quickly began treating the disappearance as a potential abduction rather than a voluntary disappearance.
Why Do Authorities Believe Nancy Guthrie Was Abducted?
Authorities have said evidence at Nancy’s home indicated that she likely did not leave voluntarily.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department described the circumstances as concerning and said investigators believed she had been taken against her will. Nancy’s limited mobility and the fact that essential belongings remained at her home also raised concerns.
One of the most important developments came when investigators obtained surveillance footage showing a masked individual near Nancy’s home.
The FBI later released images and video showing an armed person apparently tampering with the camera at Nancy’s front door around the time of her disappearance. The FBI described the individual as someone investigators wanted the public to help identify.
This footage became one of the key pieces of publicly released evidence in the case.
What Was the Suspect Wearing?
The FBI said the person seen in the footage appeared to be wearing a face covering and gloves and carrying a black Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack.
Later reporting described the individual as a male of approximately average build and around 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall.
Authorities have not publicly identified that person as the perpetrator.
It is important to distinguish between what investigators have established and what has been speculated online. Numerous theories have circulated, but authorities have repeatedly asked the public not to spread unverified accusations.
What Happened During the Search for Nancy Guthrie?
The search for Nancy Guthrie became a major investigation involving local authorities and the FBI.
Investigators examined Nancy’s home, surveillance footage and other potential evidence while speaking with witnesses and reviewing information submitted by the public.
The FBI initially announced a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to Nancy’s recovery or the arrest and conviction of those responsible. The reward was later increased to $100,000.
Authorities have also asked people in the Tucson area to examine their security-camera footage and report anything potentially relevant.
The case generated a large number of tips, but no publicly confirmed breakthrough has resulted in Nancy being located.
What About the DNA Evidence?
Investigators have collected forensic evidence as part of the case.
Blood found at Nancy’s home was reported as belonging to Nancy, while other evidence, including DNA associated with a glove found during the investigation, did not initially provide investigators with a clear identification of a suspect.
The continuing forensic work is one reason investigators have emphasized that the case remains active.
What Were the Nancy Guthrie Ransom Notes?
Another major development involved ransom notes sent to media outlets.
Authorities eventually released details of two notes connected to the case. One demanded a ransom, while another claimed that Nancy had died after being abducted.
The second note made a particularly disturbing claim that Nancy had been killed and buried, but authorities have not publicly established that the claim is true.
In July, authorities released the notes in an effort to determine whether someone might recognize the language, writing style or distinctive phrasing.
The sheriff’s department stressed that the public should come forward with information rather than rely on speculation.
Was the Ransom Demand Confirmed?
The investigation has involved communications described as ransom notes, but that does not mean every message claiming to be from a kidnapper has been authentic.
In fact, a California man, Derrick Callella, admitted to sending fake ransom communications related to the Nancy Guthrie case. His actions resulted in federal harassment charges and a later sentence involving probation.
That development illustrates why investigators have had to carefully separate potentially useful evidence from false information.
Is Nancy Guthrie Still Missing?
Yes. As of September 6, 2026, Nancy Guthrie remains missing.
The investigation has now passed the seven-month mark. Authorities have not publicly announced a suspect responsible for Nancy’s disappearance, and her location has not been confirmed. Recent reporting continues to describe the investigation as active, with the FBI and local authorities involved.
There have also been public reports and online speculation about possible developments, but readers should be cautious about treating social-media claims or amateur investigations as confirmed information.
One recent example involved human remains discovered in the Tucson area. Authorities subsequently said those remains were not connected to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.
That clarification is important because rumors surrounding high-profile missing-person cases can spread quickly online.
What Has Savannah Guthrie Said About Her Missing Mom?
Savannah Guthrie has repeatedly spoken publicly about her mother’s disappearance and appealed for information.
Her family has maintained public pressure for answers while continuing to hope Nancy can be found.
In June, Savannah made an emotional appeal on Today, emphasizing that her family remained desperate for information. Reuters reported that the family was continuing to offer a $1 million reward for information in addition to the FBI’s reward.
In August, Savannah again publicly described her family’s desperation and asked someone with information to come forward.
Savannah has also continued her professional responsibilities during the investigation. Her public appearances should not be interpreted as evidence that the search has ended.
For families dealing with a missing loved one, maintaining some normality while continuing the search can happen at the same time.
Has Anyone Been Arrested in Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance?
No suspect has been publicly arrested or charged with Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.
Authorities have investigated numerous leads and have released surveillance material in an effort to identify the person seen near Nancy’s home.
The arrest of Derrick Callella was related to fake ransom communications, not to Nancy’s disappearance itself. He is not publicly identified as the person responsible for taking Nancy.
That distinction is important because headlines about an arrest connected to the case can easily create the false impression that investigators have solved the disappearance.
As of the latest available reporting, the central question—who took Nancy Guthrie and where she is—remains unanswered.
What Is the Latest Nancy Guthrie Update?
The latest reports in early September 2026 indicate that the investigation remains active.
The case reached the seven-month mark without authorities publicly identifying a suspect or locating Nancy. Retired FBI investigators quoted in recent coverage have discussed why investigators may be keeping certain details private while evidence is analyzed.
That lack of public information does not mean the case has been officially closed.
The FBI continues to list Nancy Guthrie as a missing person, and the agency continues to seek information that could help locate her or identify those responsible.
The FBI’s official information lists a reward of up to $100,000 and provides a way for people with information to submit tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Savannah Guthrie’s mother still missing?
Yes. Nancy Guthrie remains missing as of September 6, 2026. She disappeared from her Tucson-area home in January 2026, and authorities continue investigating the case.
What happened to Savannah Guthrie’s mom?
Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was abducted from her home in the Catalina Foothills area of Tucson, Arizona. Surveillance footage showed a masked individual near her home, and investigators have treated the disappearance as a crime.
How old is Nancy Guthrie?
Nancy Guthrie is 84 years old. The FBI identifies her date of birth as January 27, 1942.
Where was Nancy Guthrie last seen?
Nancy was last seen at her home in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson, Arizona, on the evening of January 31, 2026.
Has Nancy Guthrie been found?
No. Authorities have not announced that Nancy has been located.
Has anyone been arrested for Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance?
No one has been publicly arrested or charged with Nancy’s disappearance. A California man was prosecuted for sending fake ransom communications, but that case is separate from the actual disappearance.
Is there a reward for information about Nancy Guthrie?
Yes. The FBI’s reward was increased to up to $100,000 for information leading to Nancy’s location and/or the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Did a ransom note say Nancy Guthrie died?
One note released by authorities claimed Nancy died after her abduction. However, that claim has not been publicly established as fact, and investigators have continued seeking information about her whereabouts.
Is the Nancy Guthrie case closed?
No. Recent reporting indicates the investigation remains active, with the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department continuing their work.
Where can people report information about Nancy Guthrie?
The FBI asks anyone with relevant information to contact the agency at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip through its official reporting system.
