Police Find DNA Evidence Amid Search for Savannah Guthrie’s Missing Mom
Police may have new leads regarding the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother Nancy Guthrie.
As the investigation continues into the 84-year-old’s possible abduction from her home in Tucson, Ariz., the Pima County Sheriff’s Department has addressed the possibility of a ransom note.
“We are aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s) regarding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie,” the sheriff’s office posted to X Feb. 3. “We are taking all tips and leads very seriously.”
“Anything that comes in, goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI,” the statement continued, encouraging “anyone who may have any information or tips” to share them with the department.
Earlier in the day, TMZ reported that it had received an unverified ransom note related to the case that demanded millions in Bitcoin, which they sent to the sheriff’s department.
Nancy—who is also mom to kids Annie Guthrie and Camron Guthrie—was last seen by family members around 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 31. A concerned friend called Nancy’s family when she didn’t show up for the church service the next morning, according to Today. After her children searched Nancy’s property for around an hour, they called authorities and reported her missing around noon on Feb. 1.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed on Feb. 3 that they found DNA evidence at Nancy’s home during the investigation.
“We took some samples that we hope will have enough of a DNA profile,” he told NBC News in a report shared on Today, “that will give us some identification as to what we’re looking at.”
Savannah Guthrie/Instagram
The day before, Sheriff Nanos said they believed Nancy had likely been kidnapped or abducted, adding that her physical health would have made it difficult for her to leave on her own.
“We know she didn’t just walk out of there, that we know,” he said during a Feb. 2 press conference, adding that her mental state is “as sharp as a tack.”
“Nancy Guthrie is of great sound mind,” he said. “This is not dementia-related.”
The sheriff’s office also declared Nancy’s home a crime scene, with Nanos saying there were “some things at the home that were concerning to us.”
“We believe now, after we processed that crime scene, that we do, in fact, have a crime scene,” he explained. “We’re asking the community’s help. This community has always stepped up to help us solve some pretty tough crimes. I’m looking for that again.”
Don Arnold/WireImage
As for Savannah, the 54-year-old—who pulled out of hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics amid her mother’s disappearance—sent out a public plea asking her followers to “please pray.”
“Thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom,” the Today host shared on Instagram Feb. 2, “our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant.”
“Raise your prayers with us,” Savannah continued, “and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment. we need you. bring her home.”
For a full breakdown of everything we know about Nancy’s disappearance, keep reading.
Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images
When Savannah Guthrie’s Mom Nancy Guthrie Was Last Seen
The 84-year-old—who is also mom to kids Annie Guthrie and Camron Guthrie, in addition to Savannah—was last seen by her family at her Tucson, Ariz. home at approximately 9:30 p.m. Jan. 31, per Pima County police.
Savannah Guthrie/Instagram
Nancy Guthrie Reported Missing
The 84-year-old was reported missing by her family Feb. 1 after a concerned friend alerted Nancy’s loved ones that she didn’t show up for a church service that morning, police confirmed to Today. After her children searched Nancy’s property for around an hour, they called authorities and reported her missing around noon.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos subsequently detailed the initial investigation, which included homicide detectives, at her house.
“You don’t typically get the sheriff out at a scene like this, but it’s very concerning what we’re learning from the house,” he told reporters in a Feb. 2 press conference. “This one stood out because of what was described to us at the scene and what we found and located just in looking at the scene.”
“It’s not standard,” Nanos continued. “Typically, our homicide team comes out when we have a homicide, a body. This one was done simply because of what the surveyors were telling us.”
Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images
Nancy Guthrie’s Home Declared a “Crime Scene”
Following their initial investigation, authorities confirmed they believed a crime took place in Nancy’s home.
“We believe now, after we processed that crime scene, that we do, in fact have a crime scene,” Nanos shared during a Feb. 2 press conference. “We’re asking the community’s help. This community has always stepped up to help us solve some pretty tough crimes. I’m looking for that again.”
The sheriff cited Nancy’s limited mobility—she “couldn’t walk 50 yards by herself”—a giveaway for concluding that foul play may have been involved in her disappearance.
“We know she didn’t just walk out of there, that we know,” he said, adding, “There are other things at the site, at the scene, that indicate there was a—she did not leave on our own.”
Don Arnold/WireImage
Nancy Guthrie’s Health Condition Revealed, Medication Needs for Survival
As the search for Nancy continues, authorities emphasized that she needs to take daily medication for her survival, which she is likely without.
“This is an 84-year-old lady who suffers from some physical ailments, has some physical challenges, is in need of medication,” Nanos shared at the Feb. 2 press conference, “medication that if she doesn’t have in 24 hours, it could be fatal.”
“So, we make a plea to anyone who knows anything about this, who has seen something, heard something, to contact us,” he continued. “Call 911. We don’t need another bad, tragic ending. We need some help.”
While Nancy’s physical health has been limited for some time, Nanos emphasized that her cognitive abilities are quite strong.
“Nancy Guthrie is of a great sound mind,” Nanos explained. “This is not dementia-related. She is as sharp as a tack. The family wants everybody to know this isn’t somebody who just wandered off. Her physical limits are based on just age.”
As the investigation into Nancy’s disappearance continues, Nanos shared his hopes for Nancy’s safe return.
“I hope we find her safe and sound,” he emphasized, “but we cannot ignore what’s in front of us.”
Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images
Savannah Guthrie Breaks Silence on Mom Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance
One day after Nancy was reported missing, the Today anchor spoke out about the devastating ordeal her family is going through.
“On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support,” she said in a Feb. 2 statement to the NBC morning show. “Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear Nancy.”
“We thank law enforcement for their hard work on this case,” she noted, “and encourage anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.”
Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images
Savannah Guthrie’s Today Family Expresses Support Amid Search for Nancy Guthrie
After Savannah confirmed that her mom Nancy was reported missing, her Today co-anchors publicly showed their support.
“We love Nancy,” Jenna Bush Hager said during the Feb. 2 episode of Today with Jenna & Sheinelle. “I know her personally.”
“We are thinking of our dearest, dearest Savannah and her whole family right now,” she continued. “Our prayers obviously go out to Savannah and the entire family.”
Meanwhile, Sheinelle Jones emphasized the importance of community during this difficult time.
“I thought to myself, ‘OK, this is when we’re at our best as a community,’” she said of the daytime show’s call to action, urging viewers to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s department with any information about the matter “no matter how small.”
She added, “So we’re sending our prayers but we’re also sending our collective action.”
Before concluding the segment, both hosts continued, “We love you, Savannah.”
Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
And Sunday Today anchor Willie Geist also urged fans to keep an eye out for Nancy.
“If you have any information at all about the location of @savannahguthrie’s wonderful mother Nancy,” he wrote on Instagram Stories Feb. 2 along with the phone number to the proper authorities, “please call the @pimasheriff in Arizona. She is missing.”
Savannah’s former co-host Hoda Kotb also reacted to the shocking news, sharing a sweet photo Savannah and Nancy on the Today set. Keeping the caption simple for the Feb. 2 Instagram post, Hoda simply wrote a red heart and prayer hands emoji.
Nathan Congleton/NBC
Police Address Savannah Guthrie’s Safety as Search for Her Mom Continues
While authorities have declared Nancy’s Arizona home a “crime scene,” they believe there isn’t “any indication that the public is in danger.”
“I don’t think there’s an active threat,” Pima County Sheriff Nanos said in a Feb. 2 press conference, though noting that “there’s a lot of work still to do.”
While Savannah has been absent from Today since her mother was reported missing Feb. 1, local authorities have been in contact with the journalist regarding her safety.
“We’ve spoken to her,” the sheriff confirmed. “She has a security team that’s been in touch with us throughout the night, but we’re not going to dismiss any angles for sure.”
Instagram/Savannah Guthrie
Authorities Say Nancy Guthrie May Have Been Abducted
On Feb. 2, Pima County police shared a series of updates on the timeline of Nancy’s disappearance.
“At this point, investigators believe she was taken from the home against her will, possibly in the middle of the night,” a spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff’s Office told MS Now since network Feb. 2. “Detectives are looking into a possible kidnapping or abduction.”
Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Savannah Guthrie Shares a Public Plea to Bring Her Mother Nancy Guthrie Home Safely
Following news that Nancy may have been abducted from her Arizona home while she slept, Savannah shared an emotional request.
“We believe in prayer,” she wrote in a Feb. 2 Instagram post. “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.”
“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,” Savannah continued. “Raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment.”
She added, “we need you.”
To conclude her plea, Savannah shared a Bible verse from Isaiah.
“‘He will keep in perfect peace those whose hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord,’” she wrote. “a verse of Isaiah for all time for all of us.”
Savannah continued, “Bring her home.”
Instagram/Savannah Guthrie
Police Find DNA Evidence at Nancy Guthrie’s Home as Investigation Continues
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed that DNA evidence was found at Nancy’s home, which has been declared a crime scene.
“We took some samples that we hope will have enough of a DNA profile,” he told NBC News in a report shared on Today Feb. 3, “that will give us some identification as to what we’re looking at.”
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Leave a comment