FBI Offers $50,000 Reward as Search Intensifies for Savannah Guthrie’s Mother, Nancy Guthrie, Missing in Tucson

Federal and local investigators are escalating the search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, after authorities said evidence at Nancy’s Tucson-area home points to an abduction and there has been no confirmed “proof of life” since she vanished over the weekend.

Officials said the case remains active and urgent because of Nancy Guthrie’s age, reported medical needs, and the passage of time since she was last seen on Saturday night, January 31, 2026.

What authorities said at the latest briefing

Investigators have described Nancy Guthrie’s home as part of an active crime scene as they work to reconstruct what happened overnight January 31 into February 1. At a press conference on Thursday, February 5, 2026, the sheriff’s office and federal partners said DNA testing confirmed that blood found on the front steps/porch area belongs to Nancy Guthrie.

Authorities also said they have not identified a suspect or a named person of interest. Officials emphasized that tips from the public—especially from anyone who saw unusual activity near the neighborhood—could be decisive as the search expands.

The FBI announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery and/or an arrest connected to her disappearance.

The timeline investigators are working from

Law enforcement has provided a clearer sequence for Nancy Guthrie’s last known movements on Saturday, January 31, based on interviews and available digital records:

• Nancy Guthrie was last seen Saturday evening after spending time with family and being driven back to her residence.

• She arrived home shortly before 10 p.m. local time; officials have described a narrow window in which her garage door opened and closed shortly after her arrival.

• She was reported missing the next day, Sunday, February 1, after she could not be reached.

Investigators have also pointed to additional technical and physical details they are reviewing, including missing or altered items around the home and gaps in what can be verified from devices. Officials have cautioned that some specifics are being withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.

The “ransom note” claims and what is confirmed vs. unconfirmed

In the days since Nancy Guthrie disappeared, messages described as “ransom notes” have circulated widely online, with some versions sent to media organizations rather than directly to the family. Authorities have acknowledged receiving communications that appear designed to pressure the family and investigators.

What is confirmed: officials have said such communications exist and are being evaluated as potential evidence.

What is not confirmed publicly: whether any particular note is authentic, whether a deadline is meaningful, whether the sender has direct contact with Nancy Guthrie, or whether the messages are hoaxes intended to exploit public attention.

Investigators have urged the public not to amplify unverified documents or claims online, warning that misinformation can derail leads and increase risks for the missing person.

Who Savannah Guthrie is, and why this case drew national attention

Savannah Guthrie is a longtime broadcast journalist and co-anchor of “Today.” She is married to communications consultant Michael Feldman, and the couple has two children. She has publicly paused normal professional duties while the search continues in Arizona.

Nancy Guthrie, her mother, is at the center of the case—not as a public figure, but as an older adult described by officials and family as mentally alert yet physically fragile, with urgent health considerations that raise the stakes of every hour without contact.

The case has pulled in federal resources quickly, in part because authorities believe the circumstances indicate foul play and because national visibility can generate a higher volume of actionable tips—along with a surge of noise investigators must filter out.

What remains unclear and what investigators are likely prioritizing

Even with the reward announcement and the DNA confirmation, several critical questions remain unanswered publicly:

• Whether Nancy Guthrie left her home voluntarily at any point (authorities have indicated they do not believe she did)

• The identity and motive of anyone who may have taken her, if this was an abduction

• Whether any surveillance footage, vehicle data, or neighborhood camera systems capture activity around the home during the key window

• Whether “ransom” communications contain verifiable details known only to an offender

• Whether the disappearance is linked to opportunistic targeting, personal grievances, or an unrelated criminal incident

Investigators typically prioritize fast-turn evidence in cases like this: canvassing for video, analyzing phone and device data, mapping vehicle movement patterns, and validating tips that place a specific person or car at the location.

What happens next: plausible paths in the coming days

Authorities have signaled that the next phase will hinge on public tips, digital evidence, and the credibility of any communications claiming knowledge of Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts. Potential developments to watch include:

• A new request for targeted information (specific vehicles, timestamps, or locations) if investigators narrow the window further

• Release of additional timeline details if doing so could prompt a key witness to come forward

• Expanded ground searches or focused searches of specific corridors if data points converge

• Formal identification of a suspect or person of interest if evidence meets investigative thresholds

• A shift in strategy if proof of life is obtained or if communications are verified as authentic

For now, officials are urging anyone with information—no matter how small it seems—to report it directly to law enforcement, emphasizing that small details can connect to larger patterns in a time-sensitive search.