Officials in Arizona still believe Savannah Guthrie’s missing 84-year-old mother Nancy Guthrie is alive, five days after she was first reported missing. However, there are still no suspects even after one person was arrested for making an imposter ransom note.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said at a Thursday press conference that software at Nancy’s Tucson-area home detected someone or something approaching her house early Sunday morning, but confirmed there is no video available as a doorbell camera was removed. He would not comment on possible forced entry or other potential cameras, but did note that zero were found smashed.
The sheriff then reiterated, “We have nobody of interest or any suspects that you would consider a prime suspect. We’re just not there.” He would not officially rule out any family members being involved, while the FBI announced a $50,000 reward for any pertinent information.
Authorities also stated that the family’s response to any ransom notes are of their own accord, though one note sent to media mentioned an Apple Watch and a floodlight, which is why they’re taking it “very seriously.” The first deadline is 5 o’clock Thursday, with a second left unspecified to the public along with the monetary demand.
“To those imposters who are trying to take advantage of profit from this situation, we will investigate and ensure you are held accountable for your actions,” Heith Janke, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s field office in Phoenix, added.
Nanos and Janke also provided the following updated timeline of events:
Saturday, Jan. 31:
9:48 p.m. — Family drops Guthrie off at home, garage door opens
9:50 p.m. — Garage door closes
Sunday, Feb. 1:
1:47 a.m. — Doorbell camera disconnects
2:12 a.m. — Software detects person (or animal, perhaps) on camera
2:28 a.m. — Pacemaker app shows disconnect from phone
11:56 a.m. — Family checks on Guthrie
12:03 p.m. — 911 call to Pima County Sheriff’s Department
12:15 p.m. — Patrol arrives
“Right now, we believe Nancy is still out there. We want her home. The sheriff’s department, along with all of our partners at the FBI, have been working around the clock, and we just want her home and to find a way to get to the bottom of all of this,” Nanos said. “We saw last night, the family. You know, they just hurt, understandably so. And so I really want you to know this entire team here, those behind me and our community are hurting with you. We really just want mom back.”
He further confirmed that blood found on the porch/entryway belongs to Nancy.
The updates came the morning after Savannah and her siblings issued a video message to both their mother and her suspected kidnappers on Wednesday night, tearfully begging for her safe return while acknowledging their alleged ransom notes.
“We are ready to talk,” the NBC anchor said alongside brother Camron and sister Annie. “However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please, reach out to us.”
“We have nothing else to go on but the belief that she is here, she’s present, she’s alive — and we want to save her,” Sheriff Nanos told “Today” earlier on Wednesday. He again stated they did not have any suspects or persons of interest, despite rumors to the contrary.
Arizona officials previously confirmed this is not a missing persons case, but rather a possible kidnapping or overnight abduction, as she was “taken from the home against her will” and “did not leave on her own.” Nancy is also in need of vital medication for a non-dementia-related physical condition.
Savannah has been absent from “The Today Show” this week as the search for her mom continues. She was also forced to bow out of hosting 2026 Winter Olympics coverage ahead of the Milano Cortina Games, which begin this weekend.
