Savannah Guthrie makes new plea for mother to be found

In The Know Savannah Guthrie makes new plea for mother to be found Comments: by Jordan Perkins - 07/28/26 6:59 AM ET Comments: Link copied by Jordan Perkins - 07/28/26 6:59 AM ET Comments: Link copied

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(NewsNation) – Savannah Guthrie is renewing her calls for someone to come forward with information about her mother, Nancy Guthrie.

“It has been months since our mom was taken from us. Our family is in agony. We are in a nightmare that will not end,” the “Today Show” co-anchor said in a video posted to Instagram. “Nothing about our situation has changed. We have done our part and we will never stop looking for her.”

Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen at her home in Tucson, Ariz., nearly six months ago on Jan. 31.

Guthrie called on anyone with information about her mother’s apparent abduction to “do the right thing.”

“The world can be a cruel and unforgiving place, and I know that you have tried to do things the right way,” she said. “Make the right choice. Help us find her. Tell us where to look for her.”

“I truly believe it is never too late to do the right thing. Help us bring this situation to an end. For all of us, no matter where we’ve been and what we’ve done, I believe there is always a way home. Please make the right choice,” the anchor added.

Content of ransom notes revealed

The full content of the ransom notes sent after Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her home were reportedly revealed by Briana Whitney, a journalist who is part of the “Crime Junkie” podcast, last week.

The initial ransom note reportedly sent to TMZ and a Tucson television station were said to have opened by addressing “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie directly:

“Hello Savannah. We have your mother Nancy. She is safe but scared. She will be held for ransom and once payment is received she will be released unharmed. We will be holding her for a maximum of 7 days,” it reportedly read.

That note demanded $4 million in bitcoin by 5 p.m. local time Thursday, Feb. 5. The demand later increased to $6 million if the first deadline was missed, with a final deadline of 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9.

The note continued as follows, according to Whitney:

“Once payment is received to the Bitcoin address below, she will be released within 12 hours of deposit to a safe drop off location back in Tucson. If the payment is not received by the last deadline on Monday the 9th at 5:00 p.m., she will be killed. Your mother is aware of this and her life is in your hands. It is in the best interest of everyone to have this completed as soon as possible. You will not be able to contact me from here on out. There will be no negotiation. Do not play games. Law enforcement will not be able to help you.”

The second ransom note, sent while the second deadline was still approaching, reportedly shifted dramatically in tone, claiming that the 84-year-old had already died. As Whitley reported, it read:

“We did not fully grasp the seriousness of her physical conditions. We never intended to hurt her. That was not our intention. She perished shortly after she was taken. We believe it was heart related. She is buried in nature now. Nothing you could have done could have changed the outcome. We are truly sorry.”

Law enforcement officials had previously said some of the notes received during the Nancy Guthrie investigation were believed to be fake, though the FBI admitted that some may “potentially be legitimate.” If that second note is revealed to be real, it means Guthrie likely died in the first week of the investigation.

No arrests have been made. The Guthrie family is offering a $1 million reward for information leading to answers in the case. The FBI is offering $100,000, and 88-CRIME is offering $102,500.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.

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