Federal authorities have issued a new update in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie after a dramatic intervention from the White House brought renewed national attention to the case. Nearly a week after the 84-year-old vanished from her Arizona home, investigators say the circumstances surrounding her disappearance remain deeply troubling, with no indication that she left voluntarily.
Nancy Guthrie, the mother of TODAY co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was last seen at her home in the Catalina Foothills area of Tucson and was reported missing after she failed to attend church on February 1 — a routine she rarely, if ever, missed. Family members quickly raised the alarm, prompting local law enforcement to launch an urgent investigation.
From the outset, authorities signaled that the case was not being treated as a simple missing-person report. The Pima County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that evidence at the residence suggested Guthrie disappeared under what they described as “concerning circumstances.” Investigators said there were no signs that she willingly left the home, leading them to classify the property as an active crime scene.
As days passed without answers, concern escalated both locally and nationally. Law enforcement agencies expanded their presence at the home, with evidence recovery teams returning multiple times to process the scene and search for forensic clues. Officials have remained tight-lipped about specific findings, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
The case took on a new dimension on February 5, when President Donald Trump publicly weighed in. In a post shared on Truth Social, he said he had personally spoken with Savannah Guthrie and assured her that the full weight of the federal government would be brought to bear in the search for her mother.
According to the statement, he directed all available federal law enforcement agencies to place themselves at the complete disposal of the Guthrie family and local authorities, effective immediately. He added that every possible resource would be deployed to secure Nancy Guthrie’s safe return, ending the message with a public appeal for prayers and well-wishes.
The announcement marked a rare and highly visible presidential intervention in an ongoing criminal investigation involving a private citizen. While such involvement does not change investigative authority on the ground, it signaled heightened federal coordination and urgency — particularly given growing concerns that the case may involve an abduction.
Those fears intensified following reports that media outlets had received alleged ransom communications. Earlier this week, TMZ and Tucson CBS affiliate KOLD-TV reported receiving messages claiming Nancy Guthrie had been taken and demanding large sums of Bitcoin in exchange for her safe return. Authorities have not confirmed the legitimacy of those messages, cautioning that ransom notes sent to media organizations are sometimes hoaxes or attempts to exploit high-profile cases.
On February 6, the FBI confirmed it is now reviewing an additional message connected to the case. In a joint statement with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, federal officials said investigators are actively examining the new information to determine its authenticity and relevance.
“The FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department are aware of a new message regarding Nancy Guthrie,” the statement read. “Investigators are actively inspecting the information provided in the message for its authenticity.”
Officials emphasized that while the message represents a new lead, the investigation remains wide-ranging and ongoing. They renewed their call for public assistance, urging anyone with information to contact the FBI tip line. A reward of up to $50,000 remains in place for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.
KOLD-TV later confirmed that it received the new message on February 6. However, the station said it would not disclose details of its contents out of respect for the Guthrie family and at the request of law enforcement. According to the outlet, the note reportedly contained information the sender believed would demonstrate they were the same individual or group responsible for the earlier messages.
Meanwhile, federal agents have returned to Guthrie’s home as part of what they described as routine investigative follow-up. An FBI spokesperson told People magazine that evidence recovery teams were back at the residence on February 6, independent of the newly received message.
“We are back at the house again as part of customary investigation follow up,” the spokesperson said. “We were planning on getting back to the house today even before that message came in.”
The continued activity at the home underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case. Investigators have not disclosed what evidence, if any, has been recovered, nor have they named suspects or persons of interest. Officials have also declined to speculate publicly on whether the disappearance is connected to Nancy Guthrie’s daughter’s prominence as a national television figure.
What is known is that Nancy Guthrie is considered vulnerable. Authorities have said she is elderly and that her sudden disappearance raises urgent concerns about her health and safety. Each passing day without contact has heightened anxiety among family members, friends, and the broader public following the case.
For now, law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal levels say they are working in close coordination. The FBI’s involvement adds resources such as advanced forensic analysis, cyber expertise to track digital communications, and behavioral analysis to assess the credibility of alleged ransom demands.
Despite the high-profile attention and expanding investigation, officials continue to stress that public tips remain critical. They have asked residents in the Catalina Foothills area to review security footage, report suspicious activity from the night of the disappearance, and come forward with even seemingly minor details.
As the search enters its second week, uncertainty continues to cloud the case. Family members have largely remained out of the public eye, relying on law enforcement updates while hoping for a breakthrough. Authorities say they will release additional information only when it can be done without jeopardizing the investigation.
Until then, Nancy Guthrie remains missing, her home still an active crime scene, and the case one of the most closely watched disappearances in the country — now under the direct attention of the nation’s highest office.
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
