Police investigate new message in missing Nancy Guthrie case as family plea intensifies

Police and federal investigators are examining a new message tied to the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, as the search near Tucson, Arizona enters its second week with no suspects publicly named and no confirmed proof-of-life details released. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI say they are actively inspecting the information in the message to determine whether it is authentic and connected to whoever took Guthrie.

The case has drawn wide attention after Guthrie’s daughter, television journalist Savannah Guthrie, and other family members posted renewed public appeals, including a blunt offer to pay for her mother’s safe return. Investigators have urged the public to avoid amplifying unverified claims circulating online, noting that high-profile disappearances often attract hoaxes that can drain time and complicate the search.

What investigators are doing with the new message

The new message is being treated as a potential investigative breakthrough—and also as a potential distraction—until its origin can be verified. Authentication typically includes checking delivery pathways, technical traces, and whether the sender appears to have knowledge that could only come from someone involved. Investigators have not publicly described the message’s contents, and they have not said whether it includes demands, deadlines, or proof-of-life.

The emphasis on verification is heightened because the case has already been targeted by impersonators. Authorities have announced criminal charges against a California man accused of sending a fake ransom-style communication to the family while posing as the abductor. That development has reinforced the need for investigators to confirm what is real before sharing details publicly.

Evidence at the home and the abduction theory

Authorities have said they believe Nancy Guthrie was taken from her home against her will. A major public detail supporting that view is forensic: blood found on the front porch was matched to Guthrie through DNA testing. Investigators have also noted that Guthrie is frail, has limited mobility, and requires daily medication—factors that make a voluntary disappearance less likely and increase urgency.

Another key issue is the absence of usable video during the most important overnight window. Investigators have said the home’s doorbell camera disconnected during the critical period, and no footage has been publicly confirmed from the moment investigators believe she vanished.

The timeline investigators keep tightening

Officials have outlined time anchors that shape the investigation. These timestamps don’t identify a suspect, but they provide a framework for testing tips, reviewing device logs, and checking any nearby surveillance that might capture vehicles or people moving through the area.

Investigators have also processed items associated with the home and routine activity, including collecting evidence for forensic analysis and reviewing any data sources that might help narrow the window further.

Why the family’s “we will pay” plea matters—and the risks

The family’s public posture has become more direct, with Savannah Guthrie and her siblings asking for immediate contact and proof that their mother is alive, while stating they are willing to pay for her return. Families sometimes make such appeals when they believe it could open a communication channel or prompt a decision by whoever is holding the missing person.

Investigators generally face a delicate balance in these moments: public attention can generate tips, but it can also trigger hoaxes and copycats. Authorities have not publicly confirmed any direct negotiation channel, and they have warned against treating circulating “ransom note” chatter as established fact.

What police are prioritizing now

With the new message under review, investigators’ priorities are converging on a few urgent tracks:

• Message authentication: determining whether the new communication is connected to the disappearance or another impersonation attempt.

• Proof-of-life pathways: assessing whether any credible information indicates Guthrie’s current condition.

• Digital reconstruction: analyzing device logs, camera disruptions, network records, and any surrounding surveillance.

• Neighborhood canvassing: verifying sightings, vehicles, or suspicious activity tied to the overnight window.

• Health urgency: factoring in the risks tied to missed medication and limited mobility.

A reward of up to $50,000 remains available for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible. Investigators continue to stress that the most useful tips are specific and verifiable—such as a vehicle description with a time stamp, unusual late-night activity near the home, or preserved communications in their original form.

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