An arrest has been made in the haunting disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Savannah Guthrie, but authorities stress that it brings no clarity to where she is—or who took her.
During a press conference on Thursday, Feb. 5, officials with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced that one individual has been arrested in connection with a fake ransom note tied to Nancy’s disappearance. The arrest, made earlier that morning, involves an alleged imposter who authorities say attempted to exploit the case for personal gain.
FBI Agent Heith Janke said the suspect is accused of crafting a fraudulent ransom demand that was circulated to members of the media earlier this week. Investigators emphasized that there is no evidence linking the note—or the person who wrote it—to Nancy’s actual abduction.
“We have made one arrest related to an imposter ransom demand,” Janke said. “It was someone that was trying to profit from it, a total imposter.”
Authorities added that there has been no direct contact from any genuine abductors to the Guthrie family since Nancy vanished from her home in Tucson late Saturday night, Jan. 31. Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed that, despite the arrest, there are still no suspects or persons of interest connected to the disappearance itself.
Nancy was last seen around 9:30 p.m. at her residence and was reported missing the following day after she failed to show up for a church service. Investigators believe she was taken against her will. Several days into the search, authorities confirmed that blood found inside the home belonged to Nancy, a detail that has only deepened concerns about her fate.
Sheriff Nanos previously noted that Nancy’s physical mobility was limited, making it highly unlikely she wandered away on her own. “She is really just as sharp as a tack,” he said. “Somebody came into that home and took her out there without her permission.”
Leo (left), Talina and Declan blow out their candles after attending a vigil to pray for Nancy Guthrie at St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church in Tucson, Ariz., on Feb. 4, 2026.
As the case stretches into its fifth day, officials described the search as a race against time. A $50,000 reward is now being offered for information leading to Nancy’s recovery or the arrest of anyone responsible for her disappearance.
Savannah, 54, has remained out of the public eye this week, stepping away from her role on the Today and withdrawing from NBC’s 2026 Winter Olympics coverage as she stays in Arizona with her family. Earlier this week, she shared an emotional plea on Instagram, asking followers to pray for her mother’s safe return.
In a video posted Wednesday, Savannah and her siblings spoke directly to Nancy, their voices steady but urgent. “We will not rest,” Savannah said. “Your children will not rest until we are together again.”
