Nancy Guthrie disappearance: Day 5 latest updates
The Brief
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department will hold a news conference on Feb. 5 to provide an update on their investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie.
Guthrie was reported missing after her family members were notified that she hadn’t shown up for church. Investigators believe she was taken from her Catalina Foothills home against her will.
Savannah and her siblings released a video on Wednesday night, pleading for their mother’s safe return.
CATALINA FOOTHILLS, Ariz. – The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is scheduled to hold a news conference on Thursday, five days after Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was last seen at her southern Arizona home.
The backstory:
Nancy was last seen on the night of Jan. 31 after being dropped off at her Catalina Foothills home near East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue. She was reported missing the next day after her family was notified that she hadn’t shown up for church.
Nancy Guthrie (Pima County Sheriff’s Department)
Authorities say Guthrie is without her necessary medication. She’s described as being 5 feet 5 inches tall and 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. It’s unknown what she was wearing when she disappeared.
Ransom notes
Dig deeper:
Authorities believe Nancy was taken from her home against her will. TMZ and KOLD 13 News in Tucson reported that they received ransom notes.
An email sent to KOLD reportedly included a deadline and a demand for a specific amount of money for Guthrie’s safe return. The station turned the email over to the PCSD, which is working with the FBI to determine the note’s credibility.
“We are aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s) related to the investigation into Nancy Guthrie. All tips and leads are being taken seriously and are forwarded directly to our detectives, who are coordinating with the FBI. We encourage anyone with information or tips to submit them,” the sheriff’s office said.
PCSD later said that no suspects or persons of interest have been identified.
‘We need you to come home’
What they’re saying:
Along with her siblings, Savannah released an emotional video plea on Wednesday night, calling for the safe return of their mother.
“We too have heard the reports about a ransom letter in the media,” Savannah said. “As a family, we are doing everything that we can. We are ready to talk. 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.”
Trump reacts to Nancy’s disappearance.
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that he is “directing all federal law enforcement” to assist in the search for Nancy.
“I spoke with Savannah Guthrie, and let her know that I am directing ALL Federal Law Enforcement to be at the family’s, and Local Law Enforcement’s, complete disposal, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump wrote. “We are deploying all resources to get her mother home safely. The prayers of our Nation are with her and her family. GOD BLESS AND PROTECT NANCY! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP.”
What’s next:
The sheriff’s department will hold its next briefing on the case at 11 a.m. MST on Feb. 5.
You can watch the news conference live on our YouTube channel.
What you can do:
A tipline was created for the community to submit information regarding this case – including photos and videos.
Map of area where Nancy Guthrie was last seen
The Source: The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and FOX 10 reports on Feb. 4, 2026.
LATEST INFORMATION: Police confirm Nancy Guthrie’s home phone had a missed call at 1:12 a.m., but the caller’s number was blocked and it didn’t ring again…👇
The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, continues to unfold as a high-profile suspected abduction case in Tucson, Arizona. Nancy was last seen at her home in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood around 9:30–9:45 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, after family members dropped her off following dinner. She failed to attend church services the next morning, prompting relatives to check on her and report her missing around noon on Sunday, February 1.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department quickly designated her residence a crime scene, citing signs of forced entry, blood evidence (including drops and small amounts inside and leading toward the driveway), and the fact that Nancy—described as having limited mobility but no cognitive impairments—did not leave voluntarily. Her cellphone, wallet, purse, vehicle, and essential daily medications remained at the home, heightening concerns about her health and safety without them. Sheriff Chris Nanos has repeatedly emphasized that Nancy was likely taken against her will, possibly while sleeping, and described the incident as a “possible kidnapping or abduction.” No suspect or person of interest has been publicly identified, despite hundreds of leads and assistance from the FBI, which has increased resources including additional agents and experts.
The case has drawn intense media attention and community response, with candlelight vigils (including one at St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church) and widespread calls for information. Savannah Guthrie took a temporary leave from her Today duties, including planned Winter Olympics coverage, to support the family and investigation. On February 4, Savannah and her siblings—Annie and Camron—released an emotional Instagram video directly addressing potential captors: “We need to know without a doubt that she is alive… We are ready to listen.” They expressed gratitude for public support and prayers while urging focus on verified facts.
Previous Developments
Key evidence includes signs of forced entry and blood traces, leading authorities to expedite DNA testing. A possible ransom note (or notes) was received by local media outlets, containing specific details about the home and Nancy’s attire that night. Investigators are probing its authenticity and credibility, sharing it with the Guthrie family. Reports of a nearly empty gas can found in Savannah Guthrie’s garage—claimed by relatives to be unused by Nancy—have surfaced as an unusual item under review, though authorities have not confirmed its direct link.
Latest Update: Missed Call on Home Phone
Police have now confirmed a new detail from the home phone records: a missed call occurred at 1:12 a.m. (likely early Sunday, February 1), shortly after Nancy’s last sighting. The caller’s number was blocked, and no further calls were received from that source. The phone did not ring again, meaning the caller did not attempt repeated contact or leave a voicemail.
This late-night missed call has become a point of interest in the timeline, as it falls in the window between Nancy’s last known presence Saturday evening and the family’s discovery Sunday morning. Investigators are analyzing call records, potential origins of the blocked number, and any connections to the abduction theory. While no public details have emerged about tracing the call or its significance, it adds another layer to the investigation’s reconstruction of events during the overnight hours.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department continues to caution against speculation, unverified accusations, or sharing false information, which could impede progress. They urge anyone with tips—particularly regarding suspicious activity around the Catalina Foothills area, potential sightings, or additional details—to contact the tip line at (520) 351-4900 or 911 for emergencies. Searches involving drones, dogs, and coordinated agencies persist, with renewed activity at the home including evidence collection.
Nancy’s family maintains hope amid the anguish, repeatedly pleading for her safe return. The case underscores the complexities of such investigations: reliance on forensics (DNA, blood, surveillance), the challenges of rural/suburban locations, and the emotional weight on high-profile families. As the search enters its fifth day or beyond, authorities and loved ones emphasize urgency due to Nancy’s medical needs and continue appealing for credible information to resolve the mystery and bring her home.
