TL;DR
“Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie and her siblings released a video pleading for the safe return of their 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, missing after an apparent abduction from her Tucson home.
Why This Matters
The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of television anchor Savannah Guthrie, combines a deeply personal family crisis with a high-profile missing persons case drawing national attention.
According to statements aired by CBS News, investigators in Tucson are treating the case as a suspected abduction, with a reported ransom note and signs of possible blood at the home. The involvement of federal authorities, including additional FBI personnel, and a public pledge of support from President Trump underscore how quickly such cases can escalate when there is even a hint of kidnapping or extortion.
The family’s public appeal also highlights modern fears around manipulated audio and video, as Savannah Guthrie stressed the need for proof of life in a world where images and voices can be altered. For many older Americans and their families, the story touches on broader concerns about the safety of seniors living alone, the speed at which law enforcement can respond, and the emotional toll of waiting for answers.
Key Facts & Quotes
Authorities in Tucson, Arizona, are searching for Nancy Guthrie, 84, after her family reported her missing on Sunday when she failed to appear at church, according to CBS News reporting.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told CBS News that a ransom note was sent to a local Arizona television station following her disappearance, though he declined to confirm its authenticity. A law enforcement source cited by CBS News said a small amount of blood was found inside the home and is being tested; what appeared to be dried blood was also seen outside near a doormat.
In a video posted Wednesday night, Savannah Guthrie, alongside her siblings Camron and Annie, appealed directly to whoever may be holding their mother. “We are ready to talk,” she said, adding, “We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her… Please, reach out to us.”
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings made an emotional plea for the return of their mother in a video statement, who remains missing days after police believe she was abducted from her home in Arizona.
Read more: https://t.co/1TghOkDir2 pic.twitter.com/3I5d2uOf4m
— ABC News (@ABC) February 5, 2026
The siblings described Nancy as “kind, faithful, loyal, fiercely loving,” with Savannah noting that her mother’s “health, her heart, is fragile” and that she lives in constant pain without needed medicine. Addressing her mother directly, Savannah said, “Everyone is looking for you… We will not rest… until we are together again.”
Sheriff Nanos said investigators remain focused on finding her: “Nothing has come up that says, here he is, here’s your bad guy… We’re working towards, where is Nancy?” CBS News also reported that the FBI is sending additional personnel to assist.
President Trump wrote on social media that he had spoken with Savannah Guthrie and was “directing ALL Federal Law Enforcement to be at the family’s, and Local Law Enforcement’s, complete disposal, IMMEDIATELY,” adding, “We are deploying all resources to get her mother home safely.”
President Trump on the abduction of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy. pic.twitter.com/xZTRMjQWeS
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) February 5, 2026
What It Means for You
For many families, especially those with aging parents living independently, the Guthrie case may feel uncomfortably close to home. It underscores how quickly a routine Sunday can turn into an emergency when an older relative is unexpectedly unreachable.
The latest update from authorities shows how law enforcement coordinates across local and federal levels when a possible abduction and ransom note are involved, and why early reporting of any unusual absence can be critical. It also reflects a changing media environment, where families are urged to be cautious about potential hoaxes or manipulated messages and to seek clear verification in ransom or extortion situations.
As investigators work to confirm the circumstances of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, officials and families alike may revisit safety checks for seniors, neighborhood watch habits, and how best to respond if a loved one suddenly cannot be found.
What kinds of steps, if any, have you and your family put in place to quickly notice and respond if an older relative goes missing, even briefly?
