Nearly eight months after 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her home in the Catalina Foothills near Tucson, Arizona, two related developments in late July 2026 underscored the persistent efforts by her family and investigators to generate new information. One was a carefully worded video message from her daughter, Savannah Guthrie. The other was the decision by law enforcement to release the full text of two notes sent shortly after the disappearance.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the evening of January 31, 2026, when relatives dropped her off at her residence. She was reported missing the next day after she failed to appear at church. Authorities have treated the matter as a suspected abduction. Despite extensive searches, review of video and forensic evidence, and thousands of tips, no suspects have been publicly identified.
On July 27, 2026, Savannah Guthrie, co-host of NBC’s Today show, posted an Instagram video in which she spoke more directly than in previous statements. She described the family’s situation as a continuing nightmare and said nothing about their circumstances had changed. She stated that the family had done its part, would never stop searching, and would always feel the absence of their mother. She then urged the person or people responsible to “do the right thing now,” “make the right choice,” and specifically “tell us where to look for her.”
Observers and NBC News noted that the timing and language of the message may have reflected a possible new line of communication in the investigation. A retired FBI agent who examined the wording pointed out several differences from earlier family appeals. Previous messages had focused on bringing Nancy home. This one asked for information about location. The address also appeared more narrowly directed, and the phrase “We have done our part” was described as carrying particular weight, suggesting the family believed it had fulfilled certain expectations.
A few days later, on July 31, 2026, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI Phoenix Field Office released the complete contents of two notes that had been sent to a Tucson television station in early February. The first note, received around February 2 and addressed to Savannah Guthrie, claimed Nancy was “safe but scared.” It demanded $4 million in Bitcoin, with the amount rising to $6 million if a later ᴅᴇᴀᴅline was not met, and warned that she would be killed if payment was not received. The writers stated there would be no further contact or negotiation.
The second note, sent on February 6 and directed to the Guthrie family, shifted in tone. It stated that the authors had not fully understood the seriousness of Nancy’s physical condition, that they never intended to harm her, and that she had died shortly after being taken—possibly from a heart-related issue. The note claimed she had been “buried in nature” and expressed regret, saying nothing the family could have done would have altered the outcome.
Authorities released the notes in the hope that distinctive patterns of vocabulary, sentence structure, and phrasing might be recognized by someone familiar with the writer. They also encouraged members of the public to reflect on any unusual behavior observed around the time of the disappearance—such as sudden changes in routine, unexplained absences, mood shifts, or unusual interest in the neighborhood—and to come forward if they had relevant information.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has said investigators continue to examine substantial volumes of DNA and video evidence and remain hopeful of a resolution. A combined reward of more than $1 million remains available for information that helps locate Nancy Guthrie or identify those responsible. Tips can be submitted to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or through the local tip line at 520-88-CRIME, and anonymity is permitted.
As of late September 2026, the search continues nearly eight months after Nancy Guthrie was last seen. The combination of the family’s pointed public appeal and the release of the notes reflects sustained attempts to encourage anyone with knowledge of the case to provide information that could bring answers.
Sources : Fox News , CNN
