What began as a simple absence at church has spiraled into a terrifying mystery for Savannah Guthrie and her family. When 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie failed to show up for services—a routine she rarely missed—alarm bells went off. Within hours, her Tucson home in the Catalina Foothills was sealed off as a crime scene, and the TODAY co-anchor was publicly asking for prayers as investigators worked around the clock.
Emergency dispatch audio reveals just how serious the situation appeared from the start. Nancy suffers from high blood pressure, relies on a pacemaker, and has ongoing cardiac issues. According to Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, going more than 24 hours without her medication could be life-threatening—a critical window that has already passed. Officials say she was last seen the night of January 31, when her daughter Annie dropped her off at home. All signs indicate she went to bed—and never left on her own.
Data from Nancy’s pacemaker has added a chilling layer to the timeline. Authorities believe the device stopped syncing within range during the early morning hours, suggesting she may have been moved from her home before dawn. Sheriff Nanos has firmly dismissed any theory that she wandered off, describing her as mentally sharp and fully aware. “This is not someone who simply walked away,” he stressed.
Inside the home, investigators reportedly found signs of forced entry, disturbed items, and traces of blood. A front-door security camera was also missing. The scene was troubling enough for the homicide unit to become involved—an unusual step in a missing person case but one authorities say is justified given the evidence. Officials believe Nancy was forcibly taken during the night.
The case took another dramatic turn when TMZ reported receiving a ransom note demanding millions in Bitcoin. The message allegedly included specific details about Nancy’s clothing and damage inside the house—information that could suggest insider knowledge if verified. Law enforcement has not confirmed the authenticity of the note, though the FBI has reviewed it and shared it with Savannah. Investigators say they are pursuing multiple leads while carefully analyzing forensic and digital evidence.
As search teams initially scoured the desert terrain surrounding Nancy’s home with drones, helicopters, K-9 units, and even Border Patrol volunteers, authorities have since shifted focus toward treating the residence as a primary crime scene. Savannah has stepped away from her duties on Today, posting an emotional late-night plea asking supporters to pray and “bring her home.” For her family, the waiting is agonizing as time becomes the most critical factor in a case that began with an empty church pew and has evolved into a deeply unsettling investigation.
