Savannah Guthrie’s Mom’s Alleged Ransom Note Demands Millions as Officials Claim They’re Taking All Leads ‘Very Seriously’
Jason Pham
It’s been days since Savannah Guthrie’s mom went missing, and now an alleged ransom note is sparking concerns over the motive behind her apparent abduction.
Savannah’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, went missing on January 31, 2026, after she disappeared from her home in Catalina Foothills, Arizona, just outside of Tucson, in the middle of the night. “We believe now, after we’ve processed that crime scene, that we do, in fact, have a crime,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said at a press conference on February 2. “She is very limited in mobility. We know she didn’t just walk out there, that we know. There are other things at the scene that indicate she did not leave on her own, we know that.”
What did Savannah Guthrie’s mom’s alleged ransom note say?
TMZ reported on February 3 that it received an alleged ransom note demanding millions of dollars in Bitcoin for the release of Savannah’s mother. According to TMZ, the note was sent on Tuesday morning and included a specific Bitcoin address for the payment to be sent, which the outlet verified was real.
TMZ also reported that the note included a deadline. The note, which TMZ forwarded to the Pima County Sheriff, also described a broken item in Savannah’s mom’s home, as well as one of her articles of clothing as alleged proof of its validity.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department addressed the note in a tweet at the time writing, “We are aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s) regarding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie. We are taking all tips and leads very seriously. Anything that comes in, goes directly to our detectives, who are coordinating with the FBI.” The tweet also included a QR code that the public can submit information and tips to.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told CBS News on February 3 that the ransom note was also sent to a local Arizona news station and included details about Savannah’s mom’s home and what she was wearing the night of her abduction. Though Nanos couldn’t confirm the accuracy of the information of the legitimacy of the note, he maintained that investigators were still taking the lead seriously. “It’s like any piece of evidence,” Nanos told CBS News. “You give it to us, you give us a lead, we’re going to look at every aspect of that lead.”
While Nanos didn’t specify which station the note was sent to, CBS affiliate KOLD-TV reported that it received an email that “appears to be one of the alleged ransom notes,” which it forwarded to the sheriff’s office.
Nanos also confirmed that the FBI has reviewed the note and shared it with Savannah. News of the alleged ransom note comes after Nanos told CBS News that “the clock is literally ticking” on Savannah’s mom’s case, with her family concerned that she needs access to the medication she takes daily. “You’ve placed her in great jeopardy without giving her meds that are critical to her,” Nanos said. “Again, like I’ve said, could be fatal if she doesn’t get those meds.”
Nanos also confirmed that investigators don’t know how many people were involved in the abduction. “It could be one, it could’ve been more, I don’t know,” he said.
A law enforcement source also confirmed to CBS News that blood was found inside Savannah’s mom’s house, as well as outside the home on a doormat by the front door.
