Family Pleas and Ongoing Investigation as Authorities Seek Safe Return of Nancy Guthrie

Updated on: February 8, 2026 / 1:00 PM EST / CBS News

In a heartfelt video released on Saturday, Savannah Guthrie, co-host of the “Today” show, shared an emotional message regarding the disappearance of her mother, Nancy Guthrie. Nancy is believed to have been kidnapped from her Tucson, Arizona, residence last weekend. Accompanied by her siblings, Camron and Annie Guthrie, Savannah expressed their willingness to pay for their mother’s safe return.

“We received your message and we understand,” Guthrie stated in the video posted on social media. “We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us and we will pay.”

The development follows a statement from local and federal authorities on Friday, acknowledging awareness of a new message related to Nancy’s disappearance. However, the nature of this message remains undisclosed.

“Extraordinary discipline under unimaginable grief and pressure,”

These are the words of retired FBI supervisory agent and hostage negotiator Jason Pack, describing Savannah Guthrie’s video message. Pack analyzed that the family’s approach—from their emotional plea to a proof-of-life request, and ultimately to a public offer to pay—was carefully designed to maintain open communication channels and facilitate Nancy’s safe return.

The ransom note accompanying this case demanded payment in bitcoin, with an initial deadline set for 5 p.m. Thursday. If unmet, a subsequent deadline was set for the following Monday, according to Heith Janke, the special agent leading the FBI’s Phoenix field office.

Jason Pack also highlighted Savannah’s use of the word “celebrate,” emphasizing its role in offering a resolution rather than confrontation. “In any negotiation, you want to offer the other party a way to see this ending positively and peacefully for them too. That’s exactly what the family is doing,” said Pack.

The investigation remains active in Tucson, with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department involved. A police cruiser was stationed outside Nancy Guthrie’s home on Sunday, and detectives continued their search efforts in the Catalina Foothills area over the weekend.

The investigation has not yet led to identifying any suspects or vehicles linked to the case. On Saturday, officials confirmed that Nancy Guthrie’s car, removed from her property, is being examined for fingerprints and other clues. Additionally, investigators retrieved a camera from her home’s roof for analysis.

On Saturday night, sheriff’s deputies also visited the home of Annie Guthrie, Savannah’s sibling, and CBS News cameras captured images of them working in the garage area.

The FBI has issued a $50,000 reward for information that aids either in Nancy Guthrie’s return or the identification and conviction of those responsible for her disappearance.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s tip line at 520-351-4900.

Report contribution from Chris St. Peter.