Savannah Guthrie urges captors to prove Nancy Guthrie is alive as search continues

Television host Savannah Guthrie has issued a direct public plea to the person or people authorities believe took her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, asking for proof of life as investigators press forward with a widening search in the Tucson area. Officials say no suspect or person of interest has been identified, even as reports of an alleged ransom note add pressure to an already fast-moving case.

What the family is asking for now

In an emotional message shared publicly late Wednesday, Guthrie said her family is prepared to communicate but needs confirmation that Nancy Guthrie is alive. The proof-of-life request is framed as a safeguard against manipulation, with the family emphasizing that voices and images can be altered and that they need certainty before engaging with any demands.

The family has also highlighted health concerns, saying Nancy Guthrie relies on daily medication and has serious cardiac issues. That medical urgency is shaping both the family’s appeal and the pacing of the investigation.

Timeline of the disappearance in Tucson

Authorities say Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home in the Catalina Foothills area outside Tucson late Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Family members dropped her off that night. She was reported missing Sunday, Feb. 1, after she did not show up for church and relatives became concerned.

Investigators have said they do not believe she left voluntarily. Law enforcement has described the residence as a crime scene and has stated publicly that they believe she was taken from her home against her will sometime overnight.

What authorities have said about suspects and evidence

As of Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, investigators say they have not identified a suspect or person of interest. Officials have urged the public to avoid spreading unverified claims, stressing that misinformation can divert resources and complicate lead verification.

At the same time, detectives have pointed to “concerning” conditions at the home that support an abduction theory. Publicly discussed elements include signs consistent with a struggle and missing or compromised surveillance coverage, which investigators are working to reconstruct through neighborhood canvassing and digital forensics. Federal partners are assisting alongside local detectives.

The alleged ransom note and the push for authentication

Reports of an alleged ransom note surfaced this week after a media outlet said it received a message connected to the case and turned it over to investigators. Authorities have acknowledged they are examining alleged ransom communications but have not confirmed details such as specific demands or whether any note is authentic.

Investigators are treating the alleged message as potential evidence, focusing on what it could reveal about authorship, origin, and intent. Officials have also warned that high-profile cases can attract hoaxes, making it critical to verify any communications before drawing conclusions.

How the search is intensifying

The current phase of the investigation is centered on tightening the overnight timeline and expanding the flow of verifiable leads. That typically includes re-checking doorbell and security-camera footage in surrounding neighborhoods, seeking any available business video along likely routes, and analyzing phone and device data for patterns that stand out around the time Nancy Guthrie disappeared.

A public tip line remains active, and investigators continue to ask for information that is specific and time-stamped. The most actionable tips are often mundane details—a vehicle seen at an unusual hour, an unfamiliar person walking near a property line, or a short clip that seems irrelevant until matched with other reports.

Key takeaways

• The family is asking for proof of life before engaging with any demands.

• Authorities say no suspect has been identified and are cautioning against misinformation.

• Alleged ransom communications are being evaluated while the search expands across video and digital leads.

What to watch next

In the next 24–72 hours, the key developments will likely center on whether investigators can confirm any communication tied to Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts and whether digital evidence narrows the window of time when she was taken. Officials have expressed hope she is still alive, underscoring the urgency to locate her quickly given her medical needs.

For now, the case remains open and fluid: an abduction investigation with no named suspect, an alleged ransom note under scrutiny, and a family pleading publicly for proof that Nancy Guthrie is alive.

Sources consulted: Associated Press; People; Entertainment Weekly; CBS News