More than seven months after Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her home in the Catalina Foothills near Tucson, Arizona, investigators reported a modest rise in tips from the public following the decision to release two notes connected to the case. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the increase in early August 2026 and stated that every tip received has been examined.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen on the evening of January 31, 2026, when family members left her at her residence. She was reported missing the following day after she did not appear at church. Law enforcement has treated the disappearance as a suspected abduction. Her daughter, Savannah Guthrie, co-host of NBC’s Today show, along with other relatives, has continued to appeal for information while describing the extended period of uncertainty as emotionally devastating.
Two messages were sent to Tucson television station KOLD in the days immediately after she vanished. The first note, received on February 2, stated that Nancy was alive and “safe but scared.” It demanded payment in Bitcoin, beginning at $4 million and increasing to $6 million if the first ᴅᴇᴀᴅline pᴀssed. The writer warned that she would be killed if the money was not received and placed responsibility for her survival on her family.
A second note arrived on February 6. The tone shifted significantly. The sender claimed Nancy had died shortly after being removed from her home, linking the dєatᩚh to her existing health condition, and said she had been “buried in nature.” The message expressed regret and stated that nothing the family could have done would have changed the outcome.
On July 31, 2026, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department publicly released the complete wording of both notes. Officials pointed to distinctive patterns in vocabulary, sentence construction, and phrasing, hoping that someone who knew the writer might recognize the style and provide useful information. The release was designed to encourage members of the public to reflect on any unusual behavior they may have observed around the time of the disappearance.
Shortly afterward, the department reported that the Nancy Guthrie Task Force had recorded a slight increase in tips. Investigators stressed that all information was being followed up. The overall investigation remains active, with detectives continuing to analyze extensive video footage, DNA samples, and digital evidence collected since early February.
As of early September 2026 — more than seven months after Nancy Guthrie was last seen — authorities continue to pursue leads. A reward exceeding $1 million remains available for information that helps locate her or identify those responsible. The family has contributed a substantial portion of that amount.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900. Callers may choose to remain anonymous.
The limited but measurable response to the release of the notes demonstrates that public engagement continues to play a role in the ongoing effort to determine what happened to Nancy Guthrie.
Main sources
FOX 26 / Fox News
