FBI Offers $50,000 Reward After Imposter Ransom Arrest in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance

Updated 2026-02-06 02:10:41+00:00 (2 articles)

Image: Newsweek

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos updates media on the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” host Savannah Guthrie, in Tucson, Ariz., on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. Source Full size
Image: Newsweek

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos updates media on the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” host Savannah Guthrie, in Tucson, Ariz., on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. Source Full size

Detailed Timeline Shows Night‑Time Security Failures Nancy Guthrie left her Catalina Foothills home at 5:32 p.m. on Jan 31 and was dropped off by Uber at 9:48‑9:50 p.m.; the garage door closed at 9:50 p.m. The doorbell camera stopped recording at 1:47 a.m., logged motion at 2:12 a.m. without video, and her pacemaker app lost connection at 2:28 a.m., after which her family discovered she was missing at 11:56 a.m. the next morning [1][2].

Multi‑Agency Criminal Probe Lacks Suspect The sheriff classified the case as a criminal investigation with FBI, state and local agencies assisting, but no suspect or person of interest has been identified [2]. A vehicle found at the home was removed and processed under a search warrant as routine procedure, though its owner was not disclosed [2]. Evidence, including minimal blood on the front porch, continues to be analyzed, and forced‑entry reports remain unverified [1].

Imposter Bitcoin Ransom Notes Prompt Arrest Multiple bitcoin‑based ransom demands were received, setting deadlines of 5 p.m. Thursday and the following Monday, but their authenticity was never confirmed [1]. FBI special agent Heith Janke announced the arrest of a California man for submitting a false ransom note, linking him to the imposter scheme [1][2]. No further contact has been reported since the arrest.

$50,000 Reward and Public Appeals Mobilized The FBI announced a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to Guthrie’s recovery or the arrest of those responsible [1][2]. Her daughter Savannah Guthrie posted an Instagram video urging anyone with leads to contact authorities [2]. The reward and appeals aim to generate tips from the community and broader public.

Technology Gaps Highlighted by Missing Pacemaker Data The doorbell camera’s offline period and the loss of the pacemaker app’s phone connection suggest the abduction occurred between 1:47 a.m. and 2:28 a.m. [1]. Investigators noted the removal of the doorbell camera at 1:47 a.m., and motion detected at 2:12 a.m. without recorded footage [1]. These digital gaps are central to reconstructing the night’s events.

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Timeline

Jan 31, 2026 – Nancy Guthrie, 84, leaves her Catalina Foothills home at 5:32 p.m. for a family dinner, is dropped off by Uber at 9:48 p.m., and the garage door closes at 9:50 p.m., marking the last confirmed sighting before she vanishes [1][2].

Feb 1, 2026 (1:47 a.m.–2:28 a.m.) – Night‑time security devices go offline: the doorbell camera is removed at 1:47 a.m., motion is logged at 2:12 a.m. without video, and her pacemaker app loses its phone connection at 2:28 a.m., suggesting she is taken from the house [1].

Feb 1, 2026 (11:56 a.m.) – Her family discovers she is missing and files a missing‑person report at 12:03 p.m.; police arrive by 12:15 p.m. to begin a search of the secluded residence [1].

Feb 1, 2026 (later that day) – Investigators find only minimal blood matching Guthrie on the front porch and cannot confirm reports of forced entry, while evidence continues to be processed [1].

Feb 5, 2026 (Thursday) – Multiple bitcoin ransom notes arrive, setting deadlines of 5 p.m. that day and the following Monday; FBI special agent Heith Janke says the notes’ authenticity is unverified and an imposter later leads to a California arrest [1].

Feb 5, 2026 – Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos tells reporters the vehicle found at the home is being processed under a search warrant, but does not disclose the owner, emphasizing routine investigative practice [2].

Feb 5, 2026 – The sheriff classifies the case as a multi‑agency criminal investigation with the FBI and other agencies assisting, noting that no suspect or person of interest has been identified [2].

Feb 5, 2026 – FBI Phoenix Division announces an arrest tied to the imposter ransom demand, reinforcing that the ransom notes are not linked to the primary disappearance [2].

Feb 5, 2026 – The FBI offers up to $50,000 for information leading to Guthrie’s recovery or the arrest of those involved, and her daughter Savannah posts an Instagram video urging anyone with leads to contact authorities [2].

Feb 5, 2026 – Journalist Ashleigh Banfield reports on her Drop Dead Serious podcast that officials towed and impounded Annie Guthrie’s car, citing an unnamed law‑enforcement source [2].

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