Ransom Note Sets 5 p.m. Deadline in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance, FBI Confirms
TUCSON, Ariz. — Federal and local authorities on Thursday disclosed new details about a ransom note connected to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Savannah Guthrie, confirming the note includes a deadline of 5 p.m. Mountain Time on Thursday, Feb. 5. The update came during a press conference held by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, where FBI officials said the ransom communication is being treated as credible and remains an active focus of the investigation.
“The note set a deadline for 5 p.m. today,” said Heith Janke, special agent in charge of the FBI Phoenix Field Office. “And if a transfer wasn’t made, the second demand was for next Monday. I’m not going to go beyond that.”
Janke declined to provide additional specifics, citing the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities Confirm Ransom Details, Emphasize Caution
Federal officials confirmed the ransom note references specific items tied to Guthrie’s home, including an Apple Watch and a floodlight details investigators say lend credibility to the threat.
“As with every lead, we are taking it seriously,” Janke said. “We are in communication with the family. While we advise and recommend from a law enforcement perspective, any action taken on any ransom is ultimately decided by the family.”
Earlier this week, multiple media organizations reported receiving ransom notes demanding millions of dollars in Bitcoin. At least two outlets turned over communications to investigators after determining the messages included threatening language and verifiable technical details. The FBI also announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery or the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for her disappearance.
Timeline of the Disappearance
Authorities reiterated the timeline surrounding Guthrie’s disappearance, which they believe occurred overnight.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen around 9:48 p.m. Saturday when family members dropped her off at her home in Tucson’s Catalina Foothills area. Investigators say her doorbell camera disconnected at approximately 1:47 a.m. Sunday, followed by a motion alert at the door roughly 25 minutes later.
At 2:28 a.m., the app connected to Guthrie’s pacemaker was disconnected from her phone. Family members went to check on her later that morning after she failed to attend church and discovered she was missing. Police were notified shortly after noon.
Authorities previously confirmed that blood found outside the home belonged to Guthrie, reinforcing investigators’ belief that she was taken from the residence against her will.
No Suspects Identified
Despite the escalation of the case and the release of ransom details, officials said no suspects or formal persons of interest have been identified.
“We are actively looking at everyone,” authorities said, while stressing that the investigation remains open and fluid.
Family’s Plea and National Attention
On Wednesday, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings, Annie and Camron, released an emotional video message publicly addressing whoever may be holding their mother. The family said they are willing to communicate but asked for proof that Nancy Guthrie is alive.
The case has drawn national attention, with federal agencies assisting local law enforcement and vigils being held in Tucson as the search continues. As of Thursday afternoon, authorities said they remain focused on meeting the deadline outlined in the ransom note while pursuing all investigative leads.
