The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has taken yet another heartbreaking turn in the suspected abduction investigation in Tucson, Arizona. Nancy was last seen entering her home in the Catalina Foothills area around 9:30–9:45 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, after family dropped her off from dinner and mahjong. She was reported missing Sunday, February 1, after missing church services.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department, headed by Sheriff Chris Nanos, has maintained the home as a crime scene, highlighting forced entry (especially at the back door), blood drops inside and toward the driveway, and Nancy’s inability to leave voluntarily due to limited mobility, a pacemaker, and dependence on daily medications. Her cellphone, wallet, purse, vehicle, and critical prescriptions remained at the residence. Authorities believe she was taken against her will overnight, possibly while sleeping, and stress the urgency given her health risks.
No suspects or persons of interest have been publicly identified, with hundreds of leads pursued alongside FBI support (including extra agents and behavioral experts). Searches—using drones, K-9s, helicopters, and ground teams—persist in the desert foothills. Multiple purported ransom notes sent to media outlets (demanding cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin, with deadlines and specific unreleased details about the home, Nancy’s attire that night, and the scene) are under scrutiny for legitimacy, though no negotiation details have been disclosed.
Prior developments include a blocked missed call to the home phone at 1:12 a.m., a faint audio recording capturing Nancy whispering “wait” at 2:03 a.m. (partially obscured by noise), a neatly folded nightgown in a trash bag behind the house (with DNA evidence), and a nearly empty gas can in a family garage (claimed unused by Nancy).
Latest Heartbreaking Revelation: Hidden Note in Drawer
In an emotional new disclosure, a cousin of Nancy Guthrie has revealed that family members discovered a small, hidden note tucked away in one of her drawers. The note contained only two words and one number, written in what appears to be Nancy’s handwriting. While the exact words and number have not been publicly released to safeguard the investigation, the cousin described the discovery as deeply unsettling and potentially significant—a private message or reminder that Nancy may have left intentionally or as a precaution.
The note’s contents are now being examined by investigators as possible evidence. It could represent a clue to her state of mind, a warning, a code, or something tied to the events of that night. The deliberate hiding suggests Nancy may have sensed something amiss or prepared for an emergency. Police have collected the item for forensic analysis, including handwriting verification and any latent prints or DNA, cross-referencing it with other scene evidence like the blood, audio whisper, and ransom communications.
This personal find adds a profoundly intimate layer to the case, humanizing Nancy’s fear or foresight amid the abduction theory. It has intensified the family’s anguish and public sympathy, with the cousin’s account shared in limited family circles and leaking to media as part of broader appeals for information.
Family’s Continued Pleas
Savannah Guthrie, with siblings Annie Guthrie and Camron Guthrie (a retired Air Force F-16 pilot), posted an emotional video on February 4: “We need to know without a doubt that she is alive… We are ready to listen.” They called Nancy a “kind, faithful, loyal, fiercely loving woman” and urged focus on verified tips. Savannah has taken leave from Today (including Winter Olympics coverage) to support the family in Tucson.
Sheriff Nanos cautions against speculation, false accusations, or unverified online claims that could impede progress. The department urges tips—particularly security footage or unusual observations—via the tip line at (520) 351-4900 or 911.
Community vigils at places like St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church continue, reflecting support in the quiet Catalina Foothills neighborhood now under intense scrutiny. As the search presses on, the hidden note stands as a poignant, mysterious element in a case filled with chilling details. With Nancy’s medications absent and time critical, hope rests on forensic breakthroughs—including potential insights from the two words and one number—and public cooperation to secure her safe return. The family’s enduring message: “Bring her home.”
