Nancy Guthrie Case: Surge in tips after ransom notes release, Pima County Sheriff’s Office shares update

A fresh update has emerged in the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case where authorities have claimed that there is an increase in tips following the release of the ransom notes that were sent to Nancy Guthrie's family days after she vanished from her home. Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC journalist and “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, vanished from her home in Arizona in the early hours on February 1, 2026. Investigators, including Pima County sheriff’s office and later joined by the FBI, launched intense search efforts and despite hundreds of leads and multiple DNA samples no suspect has been named or arrested so far

While sharing an update, over six months since the investigation was launched, a spokeswoman for the Pima County Sheriff's Office told FOX News Digital that authorities have not confirmed the ransom notes are authentic, but their release has generated a "slight" uptick in tips. The office released the full content of the alleged notes on July 31, 2026.

"Nancy Guthrie Task Force investigators have seen a slight increase in tips since the two ransom notes were released last week," Pima County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Angelica Carrillo told the news outlet. "All tips have been followed up on."


The alleged ransom notes were sent on Feb. 2 and Feb. 6. "Hello Savannah," one of the notes read. "We have your mother Nancy. She is safe but scared. She will be held for ransom and once payment is received she will be released unharmed." "She had a white smart watch on the floor of the foot of her bed and the white flood light in backyard was destroyed," it continued.

In a subsequent message sent to the Guthrie family, the alleged ransom notes claimed that Nancy Guthrie has passed away. "We did not fully grasp the seriousness of her physical condition. We never intended to hurt her, that was not our intention. She perished shortly after she was taken. We believe it was heart related," the purported ransom note states.


ALSO READ: Solar Eclipse Next Week: Where to watch the astronomical event in the US and Europe — check date, time, and essential tips