PIMA COUNTY, AZ (AZFamily/AP/CBS News) — Authorities are acknowledging reports of ransom notes circulating regarding Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said Tuesday.
“We are aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s) regarding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie. We are taking all tips and leads very seriously. Anything that comes in, goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said in a social media statement.
More evidence was uncovered as investigators continue digging into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of network TV news anchor Savannah Guthrie, after she may have been abducted from her southern Arizona home over the weekend.
According to Sheriff Nanos, the 84-year-old was last seen at her Catalina Foothills home, near Skyline Drive and Campbell Avenue, around 9:30 p.m. Saturday.
“We have someone’s life who is in jeopardy. Number one, is we got to find her, we got to work hard to do that,” Nanos said.
The sheriff has declined to say whether Guthrie’s disappearance was thought to be random or targeted.
FBI assisting with investigation
During a morning news conference on Tuesday, Jon Edwards, assistant special agent with the FBI’s Tucson office, said the FBI is now assisting the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
According to Edwards, the FBI is downloading and analyzing cell phone data, obtaining cell tower information and conducting interviews to help with the investigation.
“The FBI is doing everything in its power to bring Nancy Guthrie home to her family,” Edwards added. “We’re looking at this from every angle, but we need your help.”
The FBI is asking neighbors or anyone who may have been in the neighborhood late Saturday night or Sunday morning to report tips to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).
“Every lead and tip is important. We are aggressively pursuing and looking into every single one,” Edwards said. “Please help us bring Nancy Guthrie home.”
Sheriff Nanos said as of Tuesday, the crime scene has been processed and evidence, like fingerprints, DNA and images, has been sent to labs for further testing.
“She was dropped off at 9:30 [p.m.], and she was found to be missing at about 11 o’clock Sunday morning,” the sheriff said. “We’ve submitted all kinds of samples for DNA and we’ve gotten some back, but nothing to indicate any suspects.”
Sheriff Nanos said more media briefings are expected to be held throughout the next several days.
Evidence uncovered
A person familiar with the investigation told the Associated Press that investigators found signs of forced entry at her home.
In addition, another law enforcement source told CBS News that a little bit of blood was found inside the home. However, authorities are testing it to see whose blood it is. Investigators and analysts are continuing to comb through the house in search of clues to Nancy’s disappearance.
Investigators found specific evidence in the home showing there was a nighttime kidnapping, the person told The Associated Press. Several of Guthrie’s personal items, including her cellphone, wallet and her car, were still there after she disappeared.
“I believe she was abducted, yes, Sheriff Nanos told CBS News. “She didn’t walk from there. She didn’t go willingly.”
Police are also reviewing information from license plate cameras in the area, according to the person, who was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the case and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.
The motive remains a mystery. Investigators do not believe at this point that the abduction was part of a robbery, home invasion or kidnapping-for-ransom plot, the person said.
Sheriff Nanos also declined to describe the evidence found at her home.
Pima County sheriff details initial findings
During a Monday morning news conference, Sheriff Nanos described the home as a “crime scene” and said officials believe Nancy did not leave on her own.
“Sheriff Nanos has stated that he believes that a crime has been committed. At this point, investigators believe she was taken from the home and that includes possible kidnapping or abduction,” the sheriff’s department said in an emailed statement Monday afternoon.
In an interview with True Crime Arizona’s Briana Whitney, the Pima County sheriff said he was looking at security cameras from the home that would further provide details on her disappearance.
“I’m praying that will break this case open for us,” Nanos said. He also confirmed that DNA testing was being conducted in the Phoenix area because the processing system was down in southern Arizona. However, Nanos explained that it could take several days.
Late Monday evening, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department shared a post from 88-Crime detailing that a $2,500 reward was being offered for any tips that led to an arrest in the case.
“We don’t see this as much as a search mission as we do a crime scene,” Sheriff Nanos said in the earlier news conference. Later in the day, Nanos told CBS News that evidence points to a possible abduction while Nancy was sleeping.
The department’s search and rescue team paused operations Monday morning to rest. Sheriff Nanos did not provide details of the type of crime scene, simply saying it was “suspicious.”
“I need this community to step up and start giving us some calls,” Sheriff Nanos said.
The sheriff emphasized that Nancy, who lived alone, is of sound mind and did not walk away on her own, describing her as “sharp as a tack.” He said she has very limited mobility and has physical ailments that could be deadly if she does not receive her daily medication within 24 hours.
Disappearance sparks extensive search
A family member called 911 around noon on Sunday to report the 84-year-old missing after she did not show up to church that morning. The search for her immediately began by ground and by air, and it lasted through the weekend before being called off Monday morning.
Searchers used drones and search dogs and were supported by volunteers, Border Patrol and the homicide team, according to the sheriff. It is not standard for the homicide team to get involved in such cases, Nanos said.
Nancy is described as a 5-foot, 5-inch White woman with brown hair and blue eyes. She weighs 150 pounds.
Daughter pleads for prayers
Savannah Guthrie has co-hosted NBC’s “Today” show since 2012. She recently took a brief hiatus from the show to undergo vocal surgery. Her family has lived in the Tucson area for much of her life.
Sheriff Nanos said the whole family, including Savannah, has been in contact with the sheriff’s department and is cooperating with the investigation. He said he is not aware of any potential threats made against Savannah.
Savannah Guthrie posted a statement on her Instagram late Monday, asking for prayers for her mother’s safe return.
“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. Raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment,” a portion of the statement read.
“Bring her home,” she added.
Officials with the church Nancy attends, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, also said, “We are praying for mercy. We are praying for her safe return. We are praying for her family.”
“Today” opened Monday’s show with the disappearance of the co-anchor’s mother, but she was not at the anchor’s desk. Nanos said during the Monday news conference that Savannah is in Arizona.
Savannah grew up in Tucson, graduated from the University of Arizona and previously worked as a reporter and anchor in the city.
Nancy previously appeared in a Nov. 2025 story alongside her daughter, highlighting Tucson. Savannah asked her mother what made the family want to plant roots in Tucson in the 1970s.
“It’s so wonderful. Just the air, the quality of life,” Nancy said. “It’s laid back and gentle.”
She said she likes to see the javelinas, pig-like desert mammals, eat her plants.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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