Savannah Guthrie, a prominent US TV anchor, publicly appealed to her mother’s possible kidnapper in an emotional video, promising to pay for her safe return as investigators probe possible ransom messages.
BY PC Bureau
Februray 8, 2026: “TODAY” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie released a public appeal Saturday, addressing the possible kidnapper of her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, and pledging to pay for her safe return.
In a 20-second video posted on Instagram, Guthrie appeared alongside her siblings, Camron and Annie, urging whoever may be holding their mother to bring her home.
“We received your message and we understand,” Guthrie said, holding her siblings’ hands. “We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace.”
“This is very valuable to us, and we will pay,” she added.
The video did not specify the nature of the message Guthrie referenced.
Savannah Guthrie tells mother’s possible kidnapper ‘we will pay’ in new video
“We received your message and we understand,” the “TODAY” co-anchor said in the video. “We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her.”
Savannah Guthrie tells mother’s possible kidnapper “we will pay” in new video –
“We received your message and we understand,” the “TODAY” co-anchor said in the video. “We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. NBC News https://t.co/PDjGiRYkeT— Jude Kopa (@KopaJude) February 8, 2026
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Possible ransom notes under investigation
At least three news organizations have received what may be ransom notes, though no law enforcement agency has publicly confirmed their authenticity. NBC News has reviewed a copy of one of the notes.
The FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said Friday they are investigating a new message concerning Nancy Guthrie and assessing its authenticity. It remains unclear whether the messages came from the same sender or are directly linked.
Two of the notes were sent to Tucson-based TV station KOLD. News director Jessica Bobula told NBC News that the first message arrived Monday through the station’s tip line, followed by a second shortly before noon Friday.
Neither message provided proof of life, Bobula said, though the first claimed Guthrie was unharmed. The second message did not explicitly demand money and differed significantly in content and tone.
“There is something in the note that we believe they are trying to use to show investigators it is the same sender,” Bobula said. “It appears they’re trying to prove only the original author would know this detail.”
The first note reportedly included two deadlines — Thursday and Monday at 5 p.m. — along with a demand for funds and warnings of potential harm if the deadlines were missed.
Both notes, along with IP data, were forwarded to the sheriff’s department.
Search continues for missing Arizona woman
Nancy Guthrie was reported missing from her home north of Tucson, Arizona, around noon Sunday after she failed to appear at church. She was last seen at approximately 9:45 p.m. Saturday after dinner at her daughter Annie’s home.
Authorities believe she may have been taken during the night, and are treating the case as a possible kidnapping or abduction. The investigation involves both state and federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI.
In a statement Wednesday, the sheriff’s department said no suspect or person of interest has been identified and that there is no credible evidence the disappearance was a targeted act.
Investigators said they believe Nancy Guthrie is “still out there” and remain committed to bringing her home safely.
