TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – On Tuesday, Feb. 3, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed DNA samples from the home of Nancy Guthrie belong to her and that the department is investigating ransom notes connected to the case.
The PCSD has not confirmed if the samples were blood, and did not say if the reported ransom notes are legitimate.
St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church said it will host a candlelight service for the Guthrie family. The church, located at 4440 North Campbell Avenue, said the vigil will be held from 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed DNA samples from the home of Nancy Guthrie belong to her and that the department is investigating ransom notes co
“Tucson, let’s wrap our arms around the Guthrie family in strength and community,” the church said in a release. “Whether you light a candle at home, share this post, or join us in prayer for her safe return — every act of love brings us one step closer. Let’s bring Nancy home
The church said parking will be available on the northside of the church.
In a news conference Tuesday morning, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said investigators are following all kinds of leads but could not go into specifics.
“We gotta find her,” Nanos said.
Nancy Guthrie(Pima County Sheriff’s Department)
Nanos did say investigators are done processing the home, but said there were signs of forced entry.
The FBI said it is providing analytical and technical support to the investigation, which includes any videos or cell phone information.
The FBI also encouraged anyone with information to contact them at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Nanos said, unless there are any major developments, the next media briefing will be on Thursday. 13 News will be there and stream the news conferences live.
MORE COVERAGE
13 News received an email Monday night that appears to be one of the alleged ransom notes. We forwarded it to the PCSD, and investigators are working to determine its credibility.
The PCSD says they are taking all tips and leads seriously, and anything that comes in goes directly to detectives who are coordinating with the FBI.
Meanwhile, a reward of up to $2,500 is being offered for information leading to the arrest of anyone involved in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie. 88-CRIME said it has already received more than 100 tips from the public.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has said Nancy Guthrie, the mother of ”Today” show anchor Savannah Guthrie, may have been abducted as she slept in her Catalina Foothills home this past weekend.
“I believe she was abducted, yes,” Nanos told CBS News. “She didn’t walk from there. She didn’t go willingly.”
The 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home near Skyline and Campbell around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31.
Her family called 911 around noon on Sunday, Feb. 1, to report her missing after she did not show up to church in the morning.
The PCSD said detectives found suspicious circumstances Sunday night while processing the scene.
Nanos added that Search and Rescue, both aircraft and teams on the ground, had been working to help investigators.
“They’re going to be doing some door-to-door with our criminal investigation team,” Nanos said. “It is not just our homicide unit. All of our criminal investigation detectives.”
Investigators were also gathering information from family and neighbors, while also relying on technology. Nanos pleaded with the public to do the same.
Nanos asked everyone in the area to check their Ring doorbell video and security camera footage. He said if anyone saw anything, no matter how small you might think it is, to call.
“What I really need is this community to step up and give us some calls,” Nanos said. “Let us know if you’ve seen something.”
Nanos insisted that Nancy Guthrie, who lived alone, did not wander off on her own. He said she has limited mobility and expressed concern over her need for daily medication, adding that if she doesn’t take it within 24 hours, it could be deadly.
“We don’t, we don’t need another bad, tragic ending,” Nanos said. “We need some help.”
Nancy Guthrie is 5-foot-5 and 150 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.
The PCSD said Monday afternoon that Nancy Guthrie was still considered missing as of 3:30 p.m. and that there will be no additional news conferences today
Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or 88-CRIME. You can also go to www.88CRIME.org to submit tips, or use the QR code the PCSD created. That code can be found above.
COMMUNITY RESPONDS
13 News talked with several of Nancy Guthrie’s neighbors about her disappearance, and people have volunteered to help search for her.
13 News talked with several of Nancy Guthrie’s neighbors on Monday.
“We noticed the Sheriff’s Department helicopter, we noticed the drones, we noticed the large response,” one person said. “Generally, we exchange information… but it’s never been as serious as this.”
Art Del Cueto, one of several people to volunteer to search for Nancy Guthrie, told 13 News why he’s helping.
“I said I’m going to do my part and see what I can find,” Del Cueto said. “If it was my mom, I’d want as many people out here trying to help me find her.”
The Catalina Foothills Association said its phone line has been ringing since last night.
“It’s kind of nice to think that I’m in a neighborhood where this does exist and people are interested and willing to do whatever they might be able to do,” said Thomas Pew, the Catalina Foothills Association Communications Chair.
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE STATEMENT
In a statement Feb. 2, Savannah Guthrie said: “On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers, and messages of support. Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom. We thank law enforcement for their hard work on this case and encourage anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.”
She later posted to Instagram and asked for prayers for her family.
“Raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment,” Savanah wrote on IG. “We need you.”
Savannah Guthrie was born in Australia but was raised in Tucson. She graduated from Amphi High and the University of Arizona before going to Georgetown University.
She has co-hosted NBC’s “Today” show since 2012. She recently took a brief hiatus from the show to undergo vocal surgery. The show opened on Monday with news about the disappearance of the co-anchor’s mother, but she was not at the anchor’s desk.
Nanos said during the Monday news conference that Savannah is in Arizona.
Nancy Guthrie previously appeared in a Nov. 2025 story alongside her daughter, highlighting Tucson. Savannah asked her mother what made the family want to plant roots in Tucson in the 1970s.
“It’s so wonderful. Just the air, the quality of life,” Nancy said. “It’s laid back and gentle.”
=======================================================
Are you streaming 13 News?
Watch a free live stream of Tucson Now and 13 News at TucsonNow.Live.
Be sure to download the free Tucson Now app, which you can find on Apple and Google.
You can submit your breaking news or weather images here.
Copyright 2026 13 News. All rights reserved.
