Nancy Guthrie

Status:

Open

Jurisdiction:

Pima County Sheriffs Office (AZ)

Missing From:

Tucson, Arizona

Summary:

Nancy Ellen Guthrie, 84-year-old mother of NBC News Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was kidnapped from her home in Catalina Foothills, Arizona on February 1, 2026. A ransom note reportedly sent on February 6, 2026, claimed that Guthrie died shortly after her kidnapping. She remains missing as of October 2026.

Vital Statistics

Circumstances of Disappearance:

Guthrie was last seen at her home in Catalina Foothills on the evening of Saturday, January 31, 2026, when she was dropped off by her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, at approximately 9:50 p.m. At 1:47 a.m. on February 1, Guthrie's doorbell camera disconnected. At 2:12 a.m., software detected a person on camera. At 2:28 a.m., Guthrie's pacemaker disconnected from her phone. She was reported missing around noon the next day after she didn't show up at a friend's house to watch Sunday morning virtual church services. Guthrie's personal belongings, including her phone and other essential items, were still inside her home. Bloodstains found at the scene were confirmed to be Guthrie's. The FBI released doorbell camera footage from Guthrie's front door that was taken the morning she disappeared, showing an armed, masked individual. The suspect is described as a male, approximately 5'9"-5'10" tall, with an average build, wearing a black 25-liter 'Ozark Trail Hiker Pack' backpack.

Additional Details:

The case has drawn international attention, with Savannah suspending her broadcasting duties, including coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, to participate in the ongoing search. A multi-agency investigation led by the Pima County Sheriff's Department, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, US Customs and Border Protection and search-and-rescue teams, has included extensive forensic analysis, neighborhood canvassing and review of surveillance footage. The Pima County Sheriff's Department has received over 18,000 tips since Guthrie was reported missing. Investigators are not ruling out the possibility that more than one person may have been involved in Nancy Guthrie's abduction. On February 16, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said members of the Guthrie family are 'cleared' as suspects in Nancy Guthrie's disappearance. At least three news outlets received a ransom note referring to Guthrie. NBC News reviewed a copy of the note, and its contents were consistent with the descriptions provided by the FBI and those news outlets. No law enforcement agency has so far substantiated the note. In July, the Pima County Sheriff's Department released two ransom notes that surfaced after Nancy's disappearance, asking anyone who recognized the writer's distinctive style to come forward. At around 2:30 a.m., her pacemaker made its last sync with her Apple devices, indicating a potential timeframe of when she was taken out of the home. Her watch and iPhone were recovered inside. A neighbor reported seeing a suspicious young man walking in the neighborhood after January 8, 2026, and at least three weeks before Guthrie's abduction. Neighbors have been asked to check their home security cameras for any video taken between January 1 and February 2, as well as on January 11 specifically. Savannah Guthrie and her family are offering an additional reward of up to $1 million for any information leading to the whereabouts of their mother. After the announcement on social media, more than 1,500 tips were received on the FBI's tip line. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos says he's 'still positive' the Nancy Guthrie case will be resolved as investigators continue to dig through evidence, stating 'We have so much DNA to sort through.' The department has confirmed that a text message claiming to be from Guthrie's abductor is not credible. Derrick Callella, 42, admitted in federal court in Arizona to two felony counts of harassment by telecommunications device after posing as a kidnapper and contacting Guthrie's family.

Case Last Updated:

Oct 03, 2026