George Anjay
Authorities are actively investigating a new message that has been sent to a local television news station, raising hopes that it may provide a crucial breakthrough in the suspected abduction of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of prominent US news presenter Savannah Guthrie. The Pima County Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Friday that they were "aware of a new message regarding Nancy Guthrie" and were diligently "inspecting the information provided in the message for its accuracy." This development comes as investigators returned to Mrs. Guthrie’s home in Tucson, Arizona, the scene of her suspected abduction last weekend, to conduct "follow-up" investigations. A substantial reward of $50,000 (£36,000) is being offered for any information that leads to her safe return.
While the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department have remained tight-lipped about the specifics of the latest communication, including who received it and its contents, a presenter from a local CBS News affiliate confirmed to the BBC that her channel had indeed received the new message. It remains unclear whether other media outlets have also been contacted. In a significant step in the forensic investigation, FBI agents and sheriff’s officers were observed removing a camera from Nancy Guthrie’s roof and towing her vehicle for a thorough examination for fingerprints and other potential clues, according to CBS News, the BBC’s US partner. Law enforcement officials are also meticulously reviewing surveillance footage from the area and actively tracing vehicles that were observed in the vicinity on the night Mrs. Guthrie went missing.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department further announced that a street in front of Nancy Guthrie’s residence had been temporarily blocked off on Friday to provide investigators with the necessary space and privacy to conduct their work. Two law enforcement sources, speaking to CBS News, indicated that the investigation is yielding "good information," but cautioned that "nothing is imminent." As of Saturday morning, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s department stated that authorities had not yet identified any suspects, persons of interest, or vehicles connected to the case. The FBI’s Arizona field office has declined to comment on the latest developments.
Adding a layer of national attention to the case, President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday night that investigators now "have some clues that are very strong" and suggested that an update might be forthcoming soon. When questioned about the potential identification of a suspect, Trump responded, "Yeah it could be definitive." These new leads emerge amidst increasingly urgent public pleas from the Guthrie family, who are desperately seeking proof that their mother is still alive. The family has also been grappling with the passing of a deadline set in one of the alleged ransom letters, which occurred on Thursday evening.
On Thursday, Camron Guthrie, Nancy’s son, reiterated the family’s desperate plea for communication, confirming that they had not had any direct contact with the alleged kidnappers. In a poignant video message released shortly after 5:00 PM local time in Arizona (00:00 GMT), Camron stated, "We have to know that you have our mum. We want to talk to you." He emphasized, "We haven’t heard anything directly. We need you to reach out, and we need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward." The case has captured national attention, prompting even President Donald Trump to weigh in and order federal authorities to assist in the investigation.
The new message is one of several communications that authorities are currently examining. At a briefing on Thursday, FBI Special Agent Heith Janke confirmed that the agency was reviewing a note described as a possible ransom demand. This note reportedly included a deadline for payment of 5:00 PM on Thursday, though the specific time zone was not clarified, and a second deadline set for Monday. Janke declined to provide further details about the threats associated with non-compliance, stating, "We’re not going to go into specifics." Coinciding with this information, it was also announced on Thursday that an arrest had been made in connection with a separate, fake ransom note. Earlier in the week, Savannah Guthrie, along with her siblings, had shared an emotional video appeal, directly addressing the potential abductor(s).
The NBC News Today show host implored, "We are ready to talk… We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and you have her… Please, reach out to us." Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed on Thursday that while investigators were no closer to identifying those responsible, they were operating under the assumption that Nancy Guthrie was still alive. "Right now, we believe Nancy is still out there. We want her home," he stated, adding that "Everybody’s still a suspect in our eyes."
The quiet Arizona suburb where Nancy Guthrie resides has become a focal point for dozens of reporters and camera crews. Authorities have cordoned off access to her street, which is situated below the Santa Catalina Mountains and characterized by roads lined with the iconic Saguaro cacti. Police posted on X, formerly Twitter, stating that "Investigators are conducting follow-up at the Guthrie home and in the surrounding areas," and that the road was "restricted to provide investigators space." Amidst the intense media presence, one local resident, when questioned about security, expressed frustration with repeated interviews and humorously displayed a large stick, declaring it his primary means of security. He humorously added that his concerns were more about javelina, native hoofed mammals, than kidnappers.
Authorities have issued a strong appeal to the public, urging anyone with information to contact the sheriff’s office and vowing to investigate all leads thoroughly. They have also discouraged the spread of misinformation as the investigation continues. A correction was issued on February 7, 2026, clarifying that it was Nancy Guthrie, Savannah’s mother, who was suspected of being abducted, not Savannah herself.
Ramos Leo
Nakalama John
