CATALINA FOOTHILLS, AZ — Monday is a critical day in the search for Nancy Guthrie as an alleged ransom deadline approaches.
The initial ransom note received by KGUN, the Scripps News station in Tucson, last week demanded $6 million by 5 p.m. Monday. On Saturday, the Guthries released their third video in which Savannah said, "We will pay." Authorities have not said whether the ransom note has been authenticated.
In the first video, the family requested proof that their mother was still alive.
On Sunday, Investigators returned to the Guthrie home around 10:45 a.m. and spent about an hour behind Nancy's home.
ABC15's drone captured investigators looking inside manhole coverings that appeared to be a septic tank. The investigators left after a little less than an hour and did not appear to take anything with them.
It's not clear what they were looking for.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department announced Sunday that they will maintain a presence at Nancy Guthrie’s residence for security purposes going forward at the request of the Guthrie family.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department has said the FBI is handling the majority of the investigative work into the ransom notes in order to determine the notes' legitimacy.
SATURDAY UPDATE: On Saturday afternoon, the Guthrie family released a third video statement speaking to the alleged kidnapper, saying "we beg you now, please return our mother... we will pay."
Watch the full video in the player below:
Pima County Sheriff's Department officials released a statement on Friday, Feb. 6, saying that they had received a new message regarding Nancy Guthrie.
As part of their statement, officials said they are working to determine the authenticity of the contents of the message.
Read their statement below:
Further details about the message, including its contents, were not immediately clear.
In a subsequent post, sheriff's officials stated that they're conducting a follow-up at Nancy's home and the surrounding areas, with traffic restrictions in place in the area.
Investigators are conducting follow-up at the Guthrie home & in the surrounding areas. The roadway in front of the home is currently restricted to provide investigators space. (Camino Escalante is restricted from Cerrada Nopal to E Camino el Ganado)
— Pima County Sheriff's Department (@PimaSheriff) February 6, 2026
See map below. pic.twitter.com/Q3wBKFTnaf
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Nancy Guthrie's family released the second video pleading for the return of their mother after she disappeared over the weekend from her Tucson-area home.
The video, which features TODAY show co-host Savannah Guthrie's brother Cameron, was released on Thursday afternoon, Feb. 5.
Watch the full video statement released Thursday in the video player below.
On Thursday, Feb. 5, officials held a press conference in which a $50,000 reward was announced and an impostor making a ransom demand was arrested as police continue their search.
In the first video released on Wednesday, Feb. 4, all of the Guthrie siblings, including Savannah, delivered an emotional plea in the video.
“We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know, without a doubt, that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you, and we are ready to listen. Please, reach out to us,” Savannah said.
Watch the full video statement from the Guthrie family that was released Wednesday night in the player below.
The FBI sent additional agents and experts to help reinforce efforts on the ground and to aid local investigators.
Among those being sent is a supervisor who will run a task force with experts in areas like hostage negotiation, data storage systems/networks and secure digital devices, the sources said.
In addition to the FBI, an elite Border Patrol is helping with the investigation, according to multiple officials.
Timeline of events
Authorities say Nancy Guthrie was last seen around 9:45 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, when she was dropped off at her home near East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue in Catalina Foothills.
Guthrie's daughter, Savannah Guthrie's sister, was the last person known to have seen her, according to reports.
Nancy did not attend church services on Sunday morning, leading to initial concern for her welfare around 11 a.m.
Investigators do not believe she left her home willingly and that there was a possible abduction or kidnapping, the Pima County Sheriff's Department said.
“We know she didn’t just walk out of there…She did not leave on her own," officials said.
"We don't know where she is," PCSD Sheriff Chris Nanos said Tuesday.
See a comprehensive timeline of known events surrounding Nancy's disappearance here.
FBI and Pima County Sheriff's Department officials spoke late Tuesday morning, answering questions about the ongoing investigation:
What to know about the investigation and possible ransom notes
Officials have been calling the incident a "crime," and authorities believe Nancy may have been kidnapped from her home while she was sleeping, according to ABC News reports.
On Tuesday, the Pima County Sheriff's Department acknowledged it is aware of possible ransom note(s) regarding Guthrie. The department stated, "We are taking all tips and leads very seriously. Anything that comes in, goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI."
KGUN, the Scripps station in Tucson, received a ransom note referencing Nancy Guthrie. It makes a specific demand for several million dollars in Bitcoin by Feb. 5 and threatens to kill her if payment is not received by Feb. 9 at 5 p.m. It also makes specific reference to two pieces of evidence at the crime scene, which we can not authenticate as legitimate. KGUN has forwarded the full contents of the note to investigators and authorities.
The TV station was one of several news outlets that received a ransom note.
The White House said President Donald Trump called and spoke with Savannah Guthrie on Wednesday.
Former FBI special agent and ABC News contributor Brad Garrett spoke with ABC15 on how the latest developments in the search may impact the investigation.
Authorities said the FBI is analyzing cell phone data and cell tower information.
Searchers used drones and search dogs and were supported by volunteers and Border Patrol. The homicide team was also involved, Sheriff Nanos said.
Nancy is described as 5'5", weighing about 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. She has limited mobility and relies on daily medication for survival, but is of sound mind.
Deputies say it is unknown what clothing she may be wearing.
Anyone with information on Guthrie’s whereabouts is urged to call 911. There is a reward for information leading to an arrest in this case.
Officials are also urging the public to go through security footage and keep an eye out for something or someone suspicious.
On Wednesday morning, sheriff’s officials confirmed they have “not identified a suspect or person of interest in this case. Detectives continue to speak with anyone who may have had contact with Mrs. Guthrie.”
Evidence of 'crime' found at the home
Investigators found specific evidence in the home showing there was a nighttime kidnapping, according to The Associated Press. Several of Nancy's personal items, including her cellphone, wallet, and her car, were still there after she disappeared.
Blood collected from the front porch of Nancy's home was confirmed to be her blood.
"It is a crime scene,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said, referencing Guthrie's home. “We do have a crime.”
Who is Nancy Guthrie?
Nancy Guthrie is the mother of Savannah Guthrie, a co-anchor for the Today Show on NBC.
Savannah Guthrie, who has two siblings, was 16 when their father died. Nancy raised them on her own. The host often brought her mother on “Today” as a guest.
“She has met unthinkable challenges in her life with grit, without self-pity, with determination and always, always with unshakeable faith,” Savannah said on the show in 2022 on Nancy Guthrie’s 80th birthday.
“She loves us, her family, fiercely, and her selflessness and sacrifice for us, her steadfastness and her unmovable confidence is the reason any of us grew up to do anything.”
In her first statement since her mother was reported missing on Sunday, Savannah Guthrie said, "Thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant. Raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment."
Watch additional coverage regarding this case:
Watch the Monday morning update from officials in the video player below: