Trump Deploys Federal Agents as Savannah Guthrie’s Mother Remains Missing After Kidnapping
Updated (2 articles)
Kidnapping Occurs Saturday Night in Tucson Nancy Guthrie, 84, vanished from her Catalina Foothills home Saturday around 21:30 local time, with police describing a forced‑entry scenario that suggests an abduction rather than a robbery [1][2]. She was reported missing early Sunday, and church members noted her absence at the 11:00 a.m. service the following morning [1]. Investigators confirmed her cellphone, wallet and car remained inside the residence, indicating the motive was not theft [2].
Law Enforcement Collects Forensic Evidence and Reviews Surveillance Pima County deputies found blood at the scene and have submitted fingerprints and DNA samples, though results have yet to identify a suspect [1][2]. The sheriff’s office has been unable to obtain usable surveillance footage but is working with technology firms and Customs and Border Protection’s tracking dogs to locate additional clues [1]. Both agencies continue to analyze cellphone‑tower data and license‑plate camera records to trace any movements linked to the disappearance [2].
Ransom‑Style Notes Prompt Federal Involvement and Tip Campaign Several media outlets received ransom‑style notes, which were turned over to authorities; the FBI reviewed the documents and shared them with Savannah Guthrie [1][2]. Sheriff Chris Nanos emphasized the urgency of locating Nancy’s medication and urged the public to call with any information, promising to follow up on every tip [2]. President Donald Trump announced at a White House event that he would contact Guthrie and was prepared to allocate additional federal agents to the investigation, a detail not mentioned in the AP report [1].
Savannah Guthrie Withdraws From Broadcasts to Support Family The “Today” co‑anchor cancelled her appearance at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, has been off‑air, and posted a prayerful message for her mother on social media [1][2]. NBC issued a statement expressing support for the family, while Guthrie’s appeal for prayers highlighted her personal connection to Tucson and her mother’s role in the family [2]. The case remains open as investigators pursue leads and the public continues to provide tips.
Sources
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1.
BBC: Investigation Continues into Disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s Mother After Alleged Ransom Note – Details the kidnapping, forensic efforts, ransom‑note handling, Savannah’s broadcast withdrawal, and President Trump’s pledge of extra federal resources .
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2.
AP: Savannah Guthrie’s 84‑Year‑Old Mother Missing After Apparent Kidnapping in Tucson – Focuses on the abduction timeline, lack of robbery motive, forensic testing, tip appeals, and Guthrie’s personal plea for prayers .
Timeline
Jan 31, 2026 – Nancy Guthrie, 84, vanishes from her Catalina Foothills residence in Tucson around 9:30 p.m.; police note forced‑entry signs and conclude she is taken against her will, marking a rare nighttime kidnapping of an elderly resident [1][2].
Feb 1, 2026 – Church members notice her absence at the 11:00 a.m. Sunday service, and a ransom‑style note circulates to Arizona TV affiliate KOLD‑TV; the Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirms it is reviewing the note while gathering forensic evidence, including blood, fingerprints and DNA [1][2].
Feb 2, 2026 – Savannah Guthrie cancels her appearance at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, steps back from the “Today” show, and posts a prayerful message asking for support, while NBC issues a statement of solidarity with the family [1].
Feb 2, 2026 – President Donald Trump, at a White House event, pledges additional federal agents to the case and calls it “terrible” and “very unusual,” signaling heightened political attention [1].
Feb 3, 2026 – Sheriff Chris Nanos holds a news conference, urging the public to call with tips, stressing that without her medication Nancy could die, and noting that homicide detectives have been assigned—a departure from standard missing‑person protocol [2].
Feb 3, 2026 – Investigators report that Nancy’s cellphone, wallet and car remain inside the home, that nearby surveillance and cellphone‑tower data are under review, and that DNA testing has produced no suspect leads, underscoring limited forensic progress [2].
Feb 3, 2026 – Federal partners, including the FBI (which reviewed the ransom note and shared it with Savannah) and Customs and Border Protection (providing tracking dogs), continue to assist the multi‑agency response [1].
Feb 2026 onward – The sheriff’s office maintains active tip collection, works with technology firms to retrieve surveillance footage, and keeps a public appeal for information, indicating the investigation will remain ongoing in the coming weeks [1][2].