By Jordan Freiman and Jonathan Vigliotti
Updated on: February 3, 2026 / CBS News
A ransom note was sent to a local Arizona news station after the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told CBS News.
The note, received Monday and not reported by the station, included specific details about Guthrie’s home and what she was wearing the night she vanished, Nanos said. He would not confirm the accuracy or legitimacy of those details. “It’s like any piece of evidence,” Nanos said. “You give it to us, you give us a lead, we’re going to look at every aspect of that lead.”
Nanos did not name the station, but CBS affiliate KOLD-TV reported it got an email that “appears to be one of the alleged ransom notes” and forwarded it to the sheriff’s office. Investigators have analyzed the note and are taking it seriously.
The FBI reviewed the correspondence and decided to share it with Savannah Guthrie. Authorities had hoped to keep the information confidential, Nanos said, but TMZ obtained and reported on the note before the sheriff’s office was contacted.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department had posted it was aware of “reports circulating about possible ransom note(s)” and that materials are sent directly to detectives coordinating with the FBI.
Surveillance video from a home security system has not yet produced leads, Nanos said. Investigators suspect the system may have been set to automatically delete footage after a short period and are seeking to recover it forensically.
Nanos has said investigators believe the 84-year-old was abducted from her Tucson home in the middle of the night over the weekend and described the house as a crime scene. Nancy Guthrie was last seen Saturday night; her absence became apparent when she failed to attend church the next morning.
The sheriff emphasized Guthrie, who lives alone, does not have cognitive issues and has very limited mobility, making it unlikely she wandered away. He also warned she needs daily medication and expressed urgency: “The clock is literally ticking,” he said. “You’ve placed her in great jeopardy without giving her meds that are critical to her. Again, like I’ve said, could be fatal if she doesn’t get those meds.”
Authorities have not said how many people may be involved. “It could be one, it could’ve been more, I don’t know,” Nanos said.
A law enforcement source told CBS News a small amount of blood was found inside Guthrie’s Tucson home, and dried blood was observed next to a doormat outside the front door.
Anna Schecter, Alex Sundby and Pat Milton contributed to this report.
In: Arizona; Nancy Guthrie; Missing Person; Savannah Guthrie
