Nancy Guthrie Abduction: FBI Probes “Fresh Communication” As Search Enters Day Six

TUCSON, AZ — The investigation into the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of TODAY show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, reached a critical juncture on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Authorities are currently scrambling to verify the authenticity of a second communication from a group claiming responsibility for her abduction.

The search, now in its sixth day, began after the elderly Guthrie was dropped off at her home in the Catalina Foothills on Saturday night, Jan. 31, following dinner with family.

1. The New Message: Proof of Life or Another Hoax?

On Friday afternoon, Tucson’s KOLD-TV received a fresh message regarding Nancy’s disappearance and immediately handed it over to the FBI.

• The Investigation: Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos and the FBI are “actively inspecting” the message. Early reports suggest the note contains specific details intended to prove the senders are the same as those behind a Tuesday ransom demand.
• The Deadlines: A previous ransom note—demanding millions in Bitcoin—set an initial deadline for Thursday evening (which passed without incident) and a second deadline for Monday, February 9.
• Fraudulent Leads: The FBI has already made one arrest in the case. Derrick Callella, a man from Torrance, California, was charged with sending fraudulent ransom demands via text to the family in an attempt to “profit from the tragedy.”

2. Forensic Evidence: Blood on the Porch

In a sobering update, Sheriff Nanos confirmed that DNA testing has returned a match for evidence found at the scene.

• The Crime Scene: Blood discovered on Nancy Guthrie’s front porch and steps has been confirmed as hers.
• Timeline of Force: Investigators revealed that the home’s doorbell camera was disconnected at 1:47 a.m. Sunday, and Nancy’s pacemaker app lost its connection to her phone at 2:28 a.m., suggesting a violent removal in the middle of the night.
• Vulnerability: Nancy Guthrie suffers from heart problems and limited mobility; her family has stressed that her daily medications are “vital and potentially fatal if missed.”

3. The Family’s Emotional Plea

Savannah Guthrie, who has stepped away from her NBC duties including the 2026 Winter Olympics coverage, released a video statement alongside her siblings, Camron and Annie.

• The Message: The family expressed a willingness to negotiate but demanded proof of life that cannot be faked by AI or deepfakes.
• The Son’s Appeal: “We want to hear from you. We haven’t heard anything directly,” said Camron Guthrie, urging the kidnappers to establish a secure line of communication.

4. Case Summary at a Glance (Feb 7, 2026)