Savannah Guthrie posts video appeal as alleged ransom note emerges in search for her mother Nancy

Savannah Guthrie released an emotional video appeal on Wednesday, February 4, urging anyone with information to come forward as authorities intensified their search for her mother, Nancy Guthrie, who disappeared from her Tucson-area home days earlier. In the message, Guthrie addressed talk of an alleged ransom note and made clear the family’s priority: confirmation that Nancy is alive.

Investigators have said the case is being treated as more than a routine missing-person report, with the home processed as a potential crime scene. As of Thursday, February 5, no suspect had been publicly identified, and authorities continued to ask the public for tips.

What Guthrie said in her plea

In the video, Guthrie appeared with her siblings and spoke directly to whoever may have taken her mother, asking for proof of life and signaling a willingness to communicate. She also addressed her mother personally, appealing for her to hold on as the family and community search efforts continue.

The message avoided specifics about any demands, focusing instead on urgency and the need for verifiable contact. The family also thanked those who have offered prayers and support as the search expanded.

Alleged ransom note and what’s confirmed

Discussion of an alleged ransom note has circulated as the investigation has drawn national attention. Law enforcement acknowledged they are reviewing materials that may be connected to the case, but officials have not publicly confirmed the authenticity of any note or validated the details circulating outside official channels.

Authorities have emphasized that any credible lead is being routed to investigators and evaluated in coordination with federal partners. The family, in its public remarks, underscored that they need reliable confirmation Nancy is alive before anything else can proceed.

What investigators have said about the scene

Officials have described circumstances that raised immediate concern about foul play. Investigators have referenced signs consistent with a possible forced entry and have indicated evidence at the home supported the view that Nancy did not simply leave on her own.

Because the investigation remains active, law enforcement has limited the amount of information released publicly, urging people to provide tips rather than amplify unverified claims. The case has drawn additional resources, including federal assistance, as detectives work through forensic analysis and neighborhood canvassing.

Why Nancy’s health adds urgency

Nancy Guthrie is 84, and her family has stressed that she is in fragile health and needs regular medication. That detail has shaped both the public appeal and the investigative urgency: the longer she is without access to medical care, the higher the risk of serious complications.

The family’s message highlighted that time matters and asked anyone who may have seen something—however minor it may seem—to share it with authorities. Officials have also encouraged anonymous reporting when possible.

What happens next in the search

The next few days are expected to hinge on two tracks: continued investigative work around the home and any associated communications, and expanded outreach for sightings or relevant security footage. Authorities have also signaled that they will follow up on people in Nancy’s orbit as part of routine investigative practice, while cautioning that the public should not jump to conclusions without confirmed facts.

Key takeaways:

• The family has asked for proof of life and urged anyone with information to contact investigators.

• Law enforcement is reviewing alleged communications tied to the disappearance, but authenticity remains unconfirmed publicly.

• Evidence described by officials has pushed the case toward a foul-play investigation, with federal support assisting local detectives.

Sources consulted: CBS News, Associated Press, The New York Times, FOX 10 Phoenix