SHERIFF CONFIRMS: RANSOM DEMAND RECEIVED!

SHERIFF CONFIRMS: RANSOM DEMAND RECEIVED!

The quiet of an Arizona morning shattered on Sunday when Nancy Guthrie, 84-year-old mother of beloved television personality Savannah Guthrie, vanished from her home. Her absence was first noted when she didn't arrive for church, a routine she rarely missed, immediately raising concerns among those who knew her.

As days turned into a frantic search, authorities confirmed the chilling possibility that Nancy hadn’t simply wandered off. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos revealed investigators believe she was taken against her will, potentially in the dead of night. The case quickly escalated, transforming a missing person investigation into a suspected abduction.

The stakes intensified with each passing hour. Sheriff Nanos emphasized Nancy’s fragile health, revealing she requires vital medication. Without it, the consequences could be devastating – even fatal. Every moment felt critical, a desperate race against time to ensure her safety and well-being.

Savannah Guthrie and mother Nancy Guthrie smile in the Today studio.

Then came a disturbing development. A ransom note, reportedly demanding a substantial payment in Bitcoin, surfaced on Tuesday. The amount allegedly reached into the millions, with a specific digital address provided for the transaction. While the authenticity of the note remains unverified, authorities are treating it with the utmost seriousness.

The alleged note contained a stark ultimatum, a chilling “or else” that amplified the fear surrounding Nancy’s disappearance. Immediately, the document was forwarded to detectives coordinating with the FBI, who are meticulously examining every detail, hoping to discern truth from a cruel hoax.

Investigators are meticulously combing Nancy’s home, treating it as a crime scene. Evidence, including potential DNA, has been collected and is undergoing analysis. The hope is that these clues will provide a breakthrough, leading them closer to finding Nancy and understanding the circumstances of her abduction.

TODAY -- Pictured: Savannah Guthrie and mom Nancy, Jenna Bush Hager on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 -- (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has assured the public that all leads are being aggressively pursued. They are urging anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward. The focus remains unwavering: to bring Nancy home safely and bring those responsible to justice.

This image provided by the Pima County Sheriff???s Department, on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, shows a missing person alert for Nancy Guthrie. (Pima County Sheriff???s Department via AP)