NBC Host Savannah Guthrie Pleads for Proof of Life in Mother's Kidnapping

TV Anchor's Family Makes Emotional Appeal in High-Profile Abduction Case

In a heart-wrenching video message that has captured national attention, NBC's Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have made a desperate public appeal for proof that their 84-year-old mother is still alive after what authorities believe was a kidnapping from her Arizona home. The emotional plea comes as law enforcement agencies race against time to find Nancy Guthrie, who requires daily medication for serious health conditions.

The Disappearance and Investigation

Nancy Guthrie was last seen on Saturday night, January 31, 2026, when family members dropped her off at her home in the Catalina Foothills area north of Tucson, Arizona. When she failed to appear at church the following morning, her family immediately reported her missing. 'We must know for sure that she is still alive and that you have her. We want to hear from her and are willing to listen. Please make contact,' Savannah Guthrie said in the statement she read alongside her brother Camron and sister Annie.

According to the Pima County Sheriff's Department, evidence at the scene suggests forced entry, and investigators found blood both inside and outside the home. Sheriff Chris Nanos stated that because Nancy Guthrie has mobility issues, detectives do not believe she left voluntarily. 'She is 84, she has a weak heart, she is in constant pain. She doesn't have her medication with her that she needs to live. Don't let her suffer,' the family pleaded in their video message.

Ransom Note and Medical Concerns

The investigation took a significant turn when authorities confirmed they received a detailed ransom note containing specific information about what Nancy was wearing and details about her home. The FBI is assisting with technical analysis of the note, which was sent to a local Arizona news station. Law enforcement sources indicate the authenticity of the note is still being verified, but its specific details have raised serious concerns.

Nancy Guthrie's medical condition adds urgency to the search. She suffers from heart problems, has a pacemaker, and requires daily medication for low blood pressure. Her family emphasized her vulnerability in their appeal: 'She is a faithful friend, full of love and knowledge. Talk to her and discover that for yourself,' they told the kidnappers.

High-Profile Family and National Attention

Savannah Guthrie, 54, has been a main co-anchor of NBC's Today show since 2012, following a distinguished career that included serving as a White House correspondent and legal analyst. According to her Wikipedia biography, she grew up in Tucson after her family moved there from Australia when she was two years old. The high-profile nature of the case has drawn significant media attention and resources to the investigation.

The Guthrie family's appeal included a direct message to Nancy herself: 'Mom, if you hear this: you are a strong woman. You are a beloved daughter of God,' they said. 'Everyone is looking for you, everywhere. We will not rest. Your children will not rest until we are together again.'

Community Response and Investigation Status

Local churches have held prayer vigils for Nancy Guthrie's safe return, and a $2,500 reward has been offered for information leading to her recovery. More than 100 deputies and detectives from the Pima County Sheriff's Department are working on the case, with assistance from the FBI and U.S. Border Patrol. Ground crews, drones, aircraft, and search dogs have been deployed in the extensive search operation.

Savannah Guthrie was scheduled to cover the Winter Olympics in Italy this week but has withdrawn from that assignment due to her mother's disappearance. The case has drawn statements of support from political figures, with former President Donald Trump saying that local and federal police are fully available to the family.

As the investigation continues, authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff's Department. The family's emotional appeal underscores the human tragedy behind the headlines, reminding the public that even high-profile media personalities face personal crises that transcend their public personas.