Savannah Guthrie has made an emotional public appeal after a newly reported alleged ransom note claimed her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, had died, nearly five months after she vanished from her Tucson-area home in February.
During an on-air appearance, the Today host fought back tears as she addressed the latest reported development in the case, which federal and local authorities have been investigating as a suspected kidnapping. Savannah used the moment to urge anyone with information to come forward.
“I don’t have any comment on this story and I’m not involved in our coverage, but I can’t pretend I’m not here.
“And so since I am I wanted to just take the opportunity to ask people – to really to beg people – to come forward. Somebody knows something.”
The reported note is the second alleged message connected to the case. The first, which surfaced days after Nancy disappeared, reportedly said she was “safe but scared” and demanded $4 million in Bitcoin.
Multiple outlets reported that the latest note contained the disturbing claim that Nancy, who has a serious heart condition, had died and been buried outdoors. Authorities have not publicly confirmed those details.
Savannah has repeatedly described the grief and uncertainty her family has lived with since her mother vanished in the early hours of February 1, 2026.
“This is a new story today that is on your radar but this is the life that my sister lives, that I live, that my brother lives, that our extended families live, that our children live everyday.
She said the family remains in “agony and cannot be at peace”.
“No matter how much I try to come out here everyday and smile and find that joy – and I will, I promise I will – this is the moment to tell you we need your help, we’re begging for your help and I’m not going to miss that opportunity.”
Investigators have said the case began as a missing-person report but quickly developed into a suspected kidnapping after signs of a struggle were found inside and outside Nancy’s home. Reported details in the case have included blood on the porch, a disconnected doorbell camera, and a pacemaker-linked phone connection that went offline in the middle of the night.
The FBI has also said it is examining video and other evidence collected from the property and has asked for the public’s help identifying a masked man seen on surveillance footage near the home. Authorities released images showing a suspect described as a man roughly 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-10 with an average build, carrying a black backpack.
On the night Nancy disappeared, she had gone to dinner at her daughter Annie Guthrie’s home before returning to her own house. Family members later noticed she had not attended church, went to check on her, and then called 911 when they found she was missing.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said investigators believe Nancy was taken against her will and have described the case as an active crime investigation.
Around the time the first alleged ransom note emerged, Savannah and her siblings posted a video on Instagram asking for Nancy’s safe return. In that message, Savannah said the family needed proof that their mother was alive before they could fully engage with anyone claiming to be responsible for her disappearance.
The FBI later announced a reward for information leading to Nancy’s recovery, and the Guthrie family also offered its own reward as the search continued. Authorities have said they have received thousands of tips, but no arrest has been made and Nancy has not been found.
In a later social media message, Savannah wrote, “We believe she is still alive. Bring her home.”
Officials also temporarily detained and questioned at least one man early in the investigation, but he was later released. Law enforcement has not publicly identified any suspect or charged anyone in connection with Nancy’s disappearance.
Investigators have also said they are looking into whether the same person sent the various alleged messages tied to the case. For Nancy’s family, however, the central question remains unanswered: where she is, and what happened to her after she was last seen at home in the Catalina Foothills area of Tucson.