Nancy Guthrie update: New message reviewed as search enters second week

Investigators in southern Arizona are reviewing a newly surfaced message tied to the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, as the search moves into its second week and her family renews public pleas for her safe return. Authorities have said the case is being treated as an abduction, and a federal reward remains in place as leads are assessed and tips continue to come in.

Nancy Guthrie, described by officials as frail with very limited mobility, was last known to be safely at home late Saturday night, January 31, after family dropped her off following dinner. She was reported missing the next day when she did not arrive for church and could not be reached.

A new message and an urgent public plea

Law enforcement agencies confirmed they are examining a new message potentially connected to the case. Officials have not disclosed the contents publicly and have emphasized that authenticity reviews are ongoing.

Over the weekend, Nancy Guthrie’s children released another video appeal online, addressing whoever may be holding her and indicating the family is prepared to pay for her safe return. The family has also asked for proof that she is alive. Authorities have not publicly confirmed proof-of-life.

What investigators say happened at the home

Officials have stated they believe Nancy Guthrie was taken from her home against her will. Investigators have linked blood found on her front porch to her through DNA testing. Authorities have also described a pattern of disrupted home monitoring and health-tech connections in the early morning hours that has helped investigators narrow the timeline.

Separately, multiple media organizations have received alleged ransom communications during the past week. Officials have not publicly affirmed those communications as credible, while stressing that all tips and leads are being taken seriously.

A clearer timeline of the overnight window

Investigators have outlined a sequence of events that suggests a narrow period of concern in the early hours of Sunday, February 1. These timestamps are among the most concrete details released so far.

Officials have cautioned that timestamps alone do not identify who was present or what happened, but they provide a framework for assessing leads and any related digital evidence.

Reward and what tips matter most

A federal reward of up to $50,000 remains available for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery and/or the arrest and conviction of those involved. Authorities continue to encourage the public to report credible observations, especially those that can be anchored to a time and place.

In cases like this, investigators typically prioritize tips that include:

• a specific vehicle description tied to a precise time window,

• unusual late-night activity near the home,

• attempts to remove or disable home monitoring equipment,

• any direct communication that can be preserved in its original form.

Health concerns raise the stakes

Authorities have voiced growing concern about Nancy Guthrie’s health because she requires daily medication. Officials have referenced that she has a pacemaker and a history of heart-related issues and high blood pressure. Those medical needs intensify the urgency and shape how investigators evaluate the risk level associated with the disappearance.

What happens next

The near-term focus is likely to remain on verifying communications, building a defensible minute-by-minute timeline, and running down tips that align with known evidence. If investigators can validate a reliable channel to whoever sent the newest message, the priority would be confirmation of Nancy Guthrie’s condition and location, followed by a safe recovery plan.

For now, officials have not announced any suspects or persons of interest, and no arrest has been publicly tied to her disappearance.

Sources consulted: Reuters, Associated Press, ABC News, Pima County Sheriff’s Department