FBI Joins Hunt for Savannah Guthrie’s Missing Mother in Tucson

Pima County deputies and FBI agents are searching for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, who disappeared from her home in the Catalina Foothills area outside Tucson on the evening of January 31, 2026. Her daughter, NBC Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, and her siblings have made public pleas for information, while President Donald Trump has promised full federal help in the case. Sheriff Chris Nanos says evidence shows Nancy was taken against her will, and no suspects have been named yet.

Background

Nancy Guthrie lives alone in a quiet subdivision near East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue. She had dinner with her daughter Annie and son-in-law Tommaso Cioni on Saturday evening. Cioni dropped her off at home around 9:30 p.m. and watched her go inside. That was the last time anyone saw her.

The next morning, church friends noticed Nancy had not shown up for Sunday service at Saint Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church. They called family members, who went to her house around 11 a.m. They found her wallet, cell phone, and car still there, but Nancy was gone. Family called 911 just before noon on February 1.

Sheriff Nanos told reporters on Monday that his team believes a crime took place. More than 100 detectives, search and rescue teams, and federal agents from the FBI are now on the case. They have searched her home multiple times, including a return visit on Wednesday with K-9 units and yellow crime scene tape.

Nancy needs daily medication. She stands 5 feet 4 or 5 inches tall, weighs about 150 pounds, has brown hair and blue eyes. No one knows what she was wearing that night.

Key Details

Investigators found blood drops outside the front door, leading toward the driveway. They collected DNA samples from inside the home and sent them to a lab in Phoenix for fast tests. Results so far have not pointed to any suspects.

Evidence at the Home

The front doorbell camera is missing. Reporters saw the base still attached, but the device itself is gone. No one knows when it was removed or by whom. Deputies put up tape around the house on Wednesday afternoon for more follow-up work.

Two news outlets received emails that look like ransom notes. One went to a local Tucson station with a money demand and deadline for her safe return. They handed it over to deputies, who are checking it with FBI help. No word yet on if the notes are real.

PCSD posted on social media that no suspects or persons of interest have been named. They warned people not to spread rumors or false tips, as it hurts the work.

Family Plea

Savannah Guthrie's sister Annie posted a video on Instagram from the family. The siblings spoke directly to anyone who might have their mother.

"We are ready to talk. 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." – Annie Guthrie

Annie also cried as she said to her mom, "If you're listening, we need you to come home. We miss you."

A candlelight prayer service happened Tuesday evening at Saint Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church on North Campbell Avenue. Neighbors and friends gathered to pray for Nancy's safe return.

What This Means

The case has drawn national attention because of Savannah Guthrie's job on NBC's Today show. People across the country are watching the updates. President Trump posted on Truth Social that he spoke with Savannah and directed all federal law enforcement to help right away. He said the whole nation is praying for Nancy and her family.

The White House also put out a message asking anyone with tips to call 911. They said their thoughts are with the family.

Sheriff Nanos held news conferences on Monday and Tuesday. He said deputies do not know where Nancy is right now. They believe she was taken overnight from Saturday to Sunday. The investigation covers possible kidnapping.

Pima County Sheriff's Department set up a tipline for tips, photos, or videos from the public. They plan a briefing on Thursday at 11 a.m. MST.

More than 100 people are working this around the clock. Teams from local police, state public safety, FBI, and search groups comb the area. They talk to anyone who knew Nancy or saw anything near her home.

Neighbors in the Catalina Foothills subdivision say the area feels quiet and safe. Nancy's disappearance has shaken the community. Church members describe her as kind and active in parish life. Friends worry about her health without medicine.

Deputies ask drivers and residents to check security footage from January 31 into February 1. They want any cars, people, or odd activity near the home. The missing camera raises questions about who might have taken it and why.

Ransom notes add a new layer. If real, they could lead to talks for her release. Investigators move fast to check them without tipping off anyone. Blood evidence shows something violent happened, but no details on her injuries.

Family stays close to deputies. They share what they know and wait for breaks. Savannah took time off work to focus on the search. Her message to Trump got quick action from Washington.

The briefing tomorrow may bring fresh info. Until then, the focus stays on tips from the public. Every call to the tipline could help bring Nancy home.