Savannah Guthrie mom update: Investigators vet new message as family says “we will pay”

The search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie is entering a more urgent phase as her daughter Savannah Guthrie and other family members renew a public plea for her safe return and investigators review a new message tied to the case. Authorities in southern Arizona are treating the disappearance as an abduction, but they have not named any suspects or persons of interest, and no proof-of-life details have been confirmed publicly.

Nancy Guthrie was last seen late Saturday, January 31, 2026, after relatives dropped her off at her home near Tucson. She was reported missing Sunday, February 1, after she did not appear for church and family members could not reach her.

“We will pay” plea aims to prompt contact

In a video message released over the weekend, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings addressed whoever may be holding their mother and said they are willing to pay to secure her safe return. The appeal also asked for confirmation that Nancy Guthrie is alive.

Public pleas in abduction investigations can serve two purposes at once: keep attention high to generate tips, and attempt to open a direct line of communication. At the same time, authorities have warned that high-profile cases can attract hoaxes and opportunistic messages that complicate the search.

Investigators’ top priority: verifying messages

Officials have confirmed they are aware of a new message connected to the case and are inspecting it for authenticity. The content has not been disclosed publicly, and investigators have not said whether the message appears credible.

That verification work is now central because any genuine communication can provide investigative leverage—proof-of-life, a traceable channel, or details that narrow the suspect pool. A false message can waste time and intensify strain on the family.

A key complicating factor already emerged this week: a California man has been charged in connection with allegedly sending communications while posing as the abductor and demanding money. The case underscores why investigators are emphasizing message authentication before confirming details publicly.

Evidence at the home: blood match and a tight overnight window

Investigators have cited physical evidence supporting the abduction theory. Blood found on Nancy Guthrie’s front porch has been matched to her through DNA testing, strengthening concerns that she did not leave voluntarily.

Authorities have also pointed to a narrow set of early-morning timestamps that frame the critical window. Those times do not prove what happened, but they provide anchors for verifying tips, device logs, and any nearby surveillance.

• Doorbell camera disconnect: 1:47 a.m. ET on Sunday, February 1

• Motion detected by camera software with no saved footage: 2:12 a.m. ET

• Pacemaker-related app disconnect from her phone: 2:28 a.m. ET

Investigators have indicated they were unable to retrieve usable video from the camera system during that period, placing more weight on secondary data such as network records and device logs, plus any neighbor observations tied to specific times.

Why the case is drawing wider attention now

Two forces are increasing the intensity: expanding national attention and rising urgency linked to Nancy Guthrie’s health.

Officials have described her as frail with limited mobility and have stressed that she needs daily medication. Those circumstances raise the risk of rapid deterioration if she is being held without proper care, and they increase pressure to confirm her condition as quickly as possible.

Investigators have also continued activity around locations connected to the family. In recent days, law enforcement has been seen conducting additional searches and removing items for evidence processing. Authorities have not indicated what those searches mean for the direction of the case, and no public suspect identification has followed.

Reward and what tips matter most

A reward of up to $50,000 remains available for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery and/or the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

With key video missing from the most important window, the most useful public tips tend to be specific and verifiable. Investigators are likely prioritizing:

• sightings of an unfamiliar vehicle near the home during late-night or early-morning hours

• descriptions of a person seen in the neighborhood around the timestamps above

• reports of tampering with cameras, wiring, or home monitoring equipment

• preserved communications in original form, rather than forwarded copies or paraphrases

What comes next

The near-term path forward hinges on whether investigators can validate the new message and separate credible communication from noise. If a genuine channel is established, the immediate goal would likely be proof-of-life and location signals that can guide recovery planning.

For now, the confirmed public facts remain narrow: Nancy Guthrie has been missing since the overnight hours leading into February 1, investigators are treating the case as an abduction, a new message is under review, no suspects have been named publicly, and proof-of-life has not been confirmed.

Sources consulted: Reuters, Associated Press, ABC News, Oregon Public Broadcasting