Federal investigators say they are reviewing a newly received message connected to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, who authorities believe was taken from her Tucson, Ariz., home last weekend.
“The FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department are aware of a new message regarding Nancy Guthrie,” the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement Friday, Feb. 6.
“Investigators are actively inspecting the information provided in the message for its authenticity,” the statement continued. “While this is one new piece of information, the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department are still asking anyone with tips to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. The FBI continues to offer a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the recovery of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.”
Tucson-based KOLD News/News 13 reported receiving the message earlier that day. “13 News received a new message this morning, February 6, regarding the Nancy Guthrie disappearance,” the station said, adding that it would not share details “out of respect to the family.”
According to the outlet, it forwarded the note to law enforcement along with the IP address associated with it. While the IP address differed from the one tied to the first note, the station said it appeared the sender used a similar secure server method intended to obscure identifying information.
“The new note contains information the senders seem to think will prove to investigators they’re the same people who sent the first note,” the station said.
Later Friday, a sizable group of FBI personnel—including Evidence Recovery Team and Forensics Team members—arrived at Nancy’s home along with more than two dozen sheriff’s deputies, and investigators searched the back of the property.
“We are back at the house again as part of customary investigation follow up,” an FBI spokesperson said. “We were planning on getting back to the house today even before that message came in.”
Addressing the visible law enforcement presence, the spokesperson added, “When the FBI is involved, we bring lots of resources.”
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office said in a post on X that investigators were conducting follow-up work at the Guthrie home and in the surrounding area, and that the roadway in front of the home was restricted.
“Nobody on foot can pass the cones,” a sergeant at the scene said. “We need everyone out right now. This is for further investigation.”
Nancy was reported missing on Sunday, Feb. 1, after she did not arrive at church, prompting her family to contact authorities.
Officials have described the case as a suspected abduction. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said at a Tuesday, Feb. 3, press conference that investigators believe Nancy was taken against her will.
On Wednesday, Feb. 4, Savannah Guthrie, 54, along with her sister Annie and brother Camron, shared a video message on Instagram appealing directly to whoever may have taken their mother.
“We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her,” Savannah said in the video.
Nancy was last seen on Jan. 31, when her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, dropped her off at her home around 9:48 p.m. after dinner with him and Annie, Nanos told The New York Times.
Investigators also identified what appeared to be blood on the front steps of Nancy’s home, which authorities confirmed belonged to her.
On Feb. 4, Nanos said authorities believed Nancy was still alive.
In a statement on X, FBI Phoenix reiterated: “While this is one new piece of information, the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department are still asking anyone with tips to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
“The FBI continues to offer a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the recovery of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.”
