Savannah Guthrie's family pleads for mom Nancy to 'come home'

Watch Savannah Guthrie's full video

KiMi Robinson

In the nearly four-minute video, posted to Instagram the evening of Feb. 4, the three Guthrie siblings shared loving messages to their 84-year-old mother, describing her as "a kind, faithful, loyal, fiercely loving woman of goodness and light."

Annie Guthrie said "the light is missing from our lives" on the fourth day of local and federal agencies' search for their mother.

'Mama, if you're listening, we need you to come home'

KiMi Robinson

The "Today" show cohost emphasized their mother's health needs as she said, "Her health, her heart, is fragile. She lives in constant pain. She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive. She needs it not to suffer.

Annie Guthrie added, "Mama, if you're listening, we need you to come home. We miss you."

Savannah Guthrie seemingly addresses kidnapper

KiMi Robinson

In her social media video on Wednesday, Savannah Guthrie appeared to speak directly to a possible kidnapper.

"As a family, we are doing everything that we can. We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know without a doubt that she's alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us."

Savannah Guthrie breaks silence on mother Nancy's disappearance

Pamela Avila and KiMi Robinson

Savannah Guthrie and her siblings are addressing reports that media outlets have received ransom letters as their mother remains missing for a fourth day.

Sitting between her sister Annie Guthrie and brother Camron Guthrie, Savannah Guthrie said, "We, too, have heard the reports about a ransom letter in the media."

On Wednesday evening, the journalist took to her Instagram to share a video with her brother and sister, thanking the public for their unwavering support.

"On behalf of our family, we want to thank all of you for the prayers for our beloved mom, Nancy," she said in the video. "We feel them, and we continue to believe that she feels them too."

Vigil held for Savannah Guthrie's mother Nancy: Watch live

Pamela Avila

Nancy Guthrie's local community is holding a candlelight vigil for the 84-year-old mother of Savannah Guthrie on Wednesday evening.

Watch the church's livestream below:

Savannah Guthrie's brother spotted for first time since mom Nancy went missing

Pamela Avila

Savannah Guthrie's brother, Camron Guthrie, was spotted for the first time in Tucson, Arizona, since the disappearance of their mother, Nancy Guthrie, per photos published by Page Six on Wednesday, Feb. 4.

He was seen stepping out of his vehicle at his sister Annie's home.

Sheriff says it's too soon to know if Nancy Guthrie's disappearance was random or targeted

Pamela Avila

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told The New York Times in a Wednesday, Feb. 4, interview that it was too soon to rule whether Nancy Guthrie's abduction was targeted or random.

"We don't see those kinds of monsters here," he said.

Sheriff Nanos says Nancy is 'part of our community'

Pamela Avila

Nanos also told the Times that although Savannah Guthrie "hasn't lived here for years," she's still "part of our community."

"Boy, everybody watches that 'Today' show," he said.

Sheriff says 'we want to find' Nancy Guthrie 'alive'

Pamela Avila

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos also told The New York Times the spotlight has made the case of Nancy Guthrie's disappearance unlike any other he has handled.

"The reality is, it's another crime," Nanos told the outlet. "We need to focus on the mission. We want to find Nancy, first and foremost. And we want to find her alive."

Savannah Guthrie thanked Trump for call about her mother

Pamela Avila

According to NBC News, Savannah Guthrie thanked President Donald Trump for calling her to check in about her missing mother.

"NBC Nightly News" anchor Tom Llamas said Savannah Gurhtrie told Trump the family needs prayers more than anything. She also thanked him for the work local and federal authorities are doing for her mother's disappearance case.

Trump called Savannah Guthrie about her mother

Pamela Avila

At the end of the afternoon NBC News Special Report, journalist Tom Llamas confirmed that President Donald Trump had spoken to Savannah Guthrie over the phone.

"We also want to mention, after our interview, the president called Savannah Guthrie and spoke to her, offering words of support for her and her family as they search for her mother," Llamas said.

Savannah Guthrie's replacement named for Olympics opening ceremony

Bryan Alexander

Sportscaster and former professional tennis player Mary Carillo has been tapped to fill in for Savannah Guthrie to host the Opening Ceremony for the Milan Olympics, NBC announced Wednesday, Feb. 4.

Carillo, who will be working her 17th Olympic Games, will join previously announced host Terry Gannon for the opening on Friday Feb. 6 (2 p.m. ET primetime at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and Peacock).

NBC confirmed Tuesday, Feb. 3, that Guthrie pulled out of the global sports spectacle as the Pima County Sheriff's Department continues to investigate her mother's disappearance.

"Our hearts go out to Savannah and the entire Guthrie family. They continue to have our full support," Molly Solomon, executive producer and president of NBC Olympics Production, said in a statement. "We are fortunate to have a deep bench of talented commentators who will step in and fill these roles. Mary is one of the most experienced Olympic commentators ever and a master storyteller."

Map shows distance between Nancy Guthrie and daughter Annie's home

Clara Migoya and Richard Ruelas

Nancy Guthrie's daughter Annie, the sister of Savannah Guthrie, lived a short distance from their mother north of Tucson, Arizona.

Annie Guthrie's home is where law enforcement vehicles were seen on Tuesday, Feb. 3, about 4:15 p.m. local time (6:15 p.m. ET), with two people wearing suit jackets and a man wearing a gray T-shirt walking out of the home. A few moments later, a woman who had a county sheriff's badge clipped to her pants walked out. None responded to reporters' requests for comments.

A private security guard parked outside the house said the family did not wish to be disturbed.

Sheriff's office announces next press conference in Nancy Guthrie investigation

Brendan Morrow

At a press conference Tuesday, Feb. 3, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said he would not hold another presser on the case until the morning of Thursday, Feb. 5, "unless something breaks" before then.

"We have a lot of work in front of us," he said at the time. "We have a job to do, and we have someone's life who is in jeopardy."

The Pima County Sheriff's Office press conferences have been streamed on its Facebook page. USA TODAY will also have a stream of the conference when it goes live Thursday.

Sheriff believes Nancy Guthrie is 'alive'

Brendan Morrow

Speaking to NBC News, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said investigators are holding out hope that Nancy Guthrie is alive.

"We have nothing else to go on but the belief that she is here, she's present, she's alive, and we want to save her," he said.

The sheriff previously said in a media briefing on Tuesday, when asked if authorities are looking for someone who is still alive, "We hope we are."

Nanos also told NBC that the leads investigators have been receiving are "critical to us," and "we're sharing those with the FBI and others."

No suspect or person of interest in case, sheriff's department says

Brendan Morrow

The Pima County Sheriff's Department confirmed on Wednesday, Feb. 4, that investigators have not identified a suspect or person of interest in the case and urged the public not to spread information suggesting otherwise.

"Detectives continue to speak with anyone who may have had contact with Mrs. Guthrie," the sheriff's department said in a statement. "Detectives are working closely with the Guthrie family. While we appreciate the public's concern, the sharing of unverified accusations or false information is irresponsible and does not assist the investigation."

'Today' anchors remain hopeful: 'Let's get Nancy home'

Taijuan Moorman

Reflecting on Savannah Guthrie's statement shared on Instagram Monday, Feb. 2, asking fans to pray, her "Today" coanchors shared they were doing just that. "Her faith leads us, and Nancy leads us as well," Jenna Bush Hager said.

"And it's the one thing we all have, and we can do," Sheinelle Jones added. "Doesn't cost a thing."

Craig Melvin said many fans of the show, from social media to on the street, have shared that they were praying for the Guthrie family.

"And that's exactly what Savannah and the family needs to hear," he continued. "My pastor used to have this saying years ago. He's like, 'It's easy to be faithful when things are going well in your life. You have to be faithful when you're at the top of the mountain, but the God of the mountain is the God of the valley.'"

Carson Daly added, "It's easy to be pessimistic and negative at a time like this, but I feel like you have the same option to still think about a positive outcome. Through our faith, let's get Nancy home. It just takes one phone call."

'Today' discusses Savannah Guthrie's faith as church comes together for candlelight vigil

Taijuan Moorman

Liz Kreutz, an NBC News correspondent, said on "Today" that a candlelight service will be held at a local Arizona church in honor of Nancy Guthrie on Wednesday, Feb. 4. "There is so much support for them here in the community," she added.

Savannah Guthrie's coanchors on "Today" shared support on the morning show, discussing the journalist and her mother's "close-knit bond" that has been "strengthened by their unwavering faith that's carried their family through difficult times," said Jenna Bush Hager.

The show then aired a segment of Savannah Guthrie speaking about how much her mother taught her about conviction and "deep faith" in God. She quoted her sister Annie, who has said, "God was the sixth member of our family."

Unidentified blood seen at Nancy Guthrie's home

KiMi Robinson, Clara Migoya and Richard Ruelas

When Clara Migoya and Richard Ruelas, reporters for The Arizona Republic – part of the USA TODAY Network – visited Nancy Guthrie's home on Feb. 3, they saw dried blood droplets on the Spanish tile entrance. The sheriff's department would not confirm whose blood it was.

Ruelas and Migoya noted there was no yellow tape surrounding the home as authorities have "turned [the house] over" to Guthrie's family. There was also an Amazon package addressed to the 84-year-old on the front stoop.

Police seen outside the home of Nancy Guthrie's daughter

Taijuan Moorman

Law enforcement has been seen parked outside the Arizona home of Annie Guthrie, the sister of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie and daughter of Nancy Guthrie, according to reports from the Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Nancy has three children, including son Camron Guthrie, with late husband Charles Guthrie, who died in 1988 of a heart attack.

TMZ, CBS Arizona affiliate both receive Nancy Guthrie ransom notes

Shawn Raymundo

CBS News has reported that its Tucson affiliate, KOLD News, received a ransom note for Nancy Guthrie.

According to CBS, Pima County Sheriff's Department investigators analyzed the letter, are taking it seriously and shared it with the FBI, whose agents decided to share it with the family. The report added that investigators wanted to keep the note private, and the Tucson station agreed not to broadcast any information about it.

But the note, which KOLD received Feb. 2, did contain "specific details about the home and what Nancy Guthrie was wearing that night," CBS reported.

TMZ was first to report Feb. 3 that it received an alleged letter demanding payment for the release of Nancy Guthrie. The tabloid kept details of the note vague, but reported that it demanded millions in Bitcoin cryptocurrency and provided a specific Bitcoin address. TMZ said that it has verified the validity of the address.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said the outlet obtained a copy of the note and reported on it before contacting his office, he told CBS.

The USA TODAY Network has not viewed or substantiated the validity of either note.

Savannah Guthrie exits from NBC Olympics coverage

Justin Ravitz

Amid ongoing investigations into the disappearance of her mother, Savannah Guthrie will no longer host the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Italy.

NBC confirmed Tuesday, Feb. 3, that the TV journalist has pulled out of the global sports spectacle as the Pima County Sheriff's Department continues to investigate.

"Savannah will not be joining us at the Olympics as she focuses on being with her family during this difficult time," an NBC spokesperson told USA TODAY in a statement. "Our hearts are with her and the entire Guthrie family as the search continues for their mother. We will share additional information about our Opening Ceremony coverage plans soon."

FBI 'aggressively' pursuing leads in Nancy Guthrie case

Brendan Morrow

Jon Edwards, the assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's office in Tucson, joined Nanos at the Tuesday press conference and said the FBI is providing the sheriff's office with support in the case, including by "downloading and analyzing cell phones, obtaining cell tower information, conducting interviews" and providing additional investigative support.

"We are looking at this from every angle, but we need your help," he said, adding, "Every lead and tip is important. We are aggressively pursuing and looking into every single one."

Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie 'taken from her home against her will'

Brendan Morrow

Speaking to reporters in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said his office is aggressively pursuing "hundreds of leads" in the Nancy Guthrie case.

"We do believe that Nancy was taken from her home against her will, and that's where we're at," he said.

When was Nancy Guthrie last seen?

KiMi Robinson

According to Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, Nancy Guthrie's "children left her off" around 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31.

The following morning, on Sunday, Feb. 1, a member of Guthrie's church called her family to let them know Guthrie was not in attendance at the service.

"The family went to the house. They spent some time looking for her themselves before they called us, so I'm guessing maybe they got there around 11 [a.m.]," Nanos said.

Elderly abductions are 'rare,' expert says

Justin Ravitz

"Abductions of elderly people are rare," Mike Jones, a retired police chief and law enforcement/security consultant, tells USA TODAY. "Most of the time, when elderly people disappear, it's because they went walking and fell into a ravine, or their car went off the road, or they fell somewhere remote and animals got to them."

Nancy Guthrie was "mobile enough to get to church and do things," says Jones, who heads Major Security Consulting & Design, calling her abduction "a big, dramatic event, [probably] under cover of darkness."

"Did they walk there? Did they drive and park on the street?" Jones questions. "They had her targeted."

As authorities confirmed at today's press conference, "every moment that passes increases the victim's stress level, which increases cardiovascular risk," Jones says. "Add missing nutrition and hydration – at her age, that's critical."