TODAY co-host Savannah Guthrie issued an emotional public appeal on Sunday, November 1, marking nine months since her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, vanished from her home in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson, Arizona. Sharing an old drawing by her daughter on Instagram, the NBC news anchor begged anyone with knowledge of the case to step forward while local and federal law enforcement officials continue to analyze DNA evidence and pursue tens of thousands of public tips.

Nancy Guthrie was last seen shortly before 10 p.m. on January 31 after being dropped off at her southern Arizona residence, according to Yahoo News and FOX 10 Phoenix. Family members reported her missing the following day, February 1, when she failed to arrive at church. While authorities believe she was taken against her will, months of intensive searching by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI have not yet yielded an arrest or a publicly named suspect.

An Emotional Message Anchored by Family

In her November 1 social media post, Savannah Guthrie shared an illustration drawn by her daughter, Vale. The artwork depicts a blue umbrella shielded against falling raindrops alongside the handwritten words, "I know it might not seem like it, but I really need my mommy."

"Found this old drawing from my daughter today," Guthrie wrote in the caption, as reported by NBC 6 South Florida. "It says so much about how I feel. The world goes on, things appear 'normal' — as we try to keep going and be strong, especially for our young kids — but it's not and it never will be."

Addressing the ongoing toll on her immediate family—naming Annie, Tommy, Cam, Kristine, Mike, and her mother's grandchildren—the anchor underscored that her relatives remain unable to move forward without answers. "We need someone to help us, tell us what you know," Guthrie wrote. "Our mom was a light in this world. We want to celebrate her and give her the dignity she deserves. The reward is still available. Please. We are begging you. Please help us."

She concluded the message by thanking supporters who have demonstrated kindness to her family and asked the public to join them in "praying without ceasing." The November statement follows several public appeals by the broadcast journalist over the past nine months, including a May 10 Mother’s Day video tribute and a joint statement released with her siblings in August at the six-month mark.

While maintaining her anchoring duties at NBC, Guthrie has been candid about the personal grief happening behind the scenes. During a June appearance on TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle, she pushed back against any perception that returning to the anchor desk meant she had moved past the crisis. "I know maybe people wonder, 'What's going on? How is she able to do that job? Is she not thinking about it? Did she forget?' No. Never," Guthrie said at the time. "It's always with me. I cry every morning on the way to work, and I cry every morning on the way home."

Forensic Consultations in Florida and Case Timeline

Guthrie’s latest plea arrived just days after investigators provided a rare procedural update on the forensic side of the inquiry. On October 30, the Pima County Sheriff's Department announced that members of its investigative task force had traveled to Florida earlier in the month to consult with specialized laboratory scientists regarding DNA evidence tied to the case.

"Earlier this month investigators traveled to Florida to meet with lab scientists to see what more could be done to advance the case," the sheriff's department stated in its update. "A number of ideas were discussed, and we continue to work with all of our partners to solve this case." Previously, in July, investigators noted that a hair recovered inside Nancy Guthrie’s residence did not lead to a suspect after initial testing.

Publicly confirmed breakthroughs in the investigation have been limited since February, when the FBI and Pima County authorities released doorbell camera images from the night Nancy disappeared. That footage captured a masked, armed individual at her doorstep who appeared to be tampering with the security camera. While outlets such as NBC 6 South Florida characterize the crime as a kidnapping involving a ransom demand, updates from Reuters emphasize that despite receiving tens of thousands of tips as of October 31, law enforcement officials have yet to publicly identify a suspect or confirm an account of who took her.

Sorting Credible Leads from Hoaxes

The high-profile nature of the investigation has also forced federal agents to filter out fraudulent communications and extortion schemes. Since February, multiple media organizations have reportedly received purported ransom demands. According to FOX 10 Phoenix, the outlet TMZ reported receiving several emails, including a Bitcoin demand, which were turned over to federal investigators.

On July 1, the FBI confirmed that several of the reported ransom communications were determined to be illegitimate extortion attempts. More recently, between November 1 and November 3, a newly discussed text-message ransom note was also deemed not credible by authorities following further review, according to KESQ.

Substantial Rewards Remain Active

To encourage witnesses or anyone with direct knowledge of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance to come forward, substantial financial incentives remain in place, though news organizations report the specific breakdown of the funds differently. According to Deadline, the available incentives include a $1 million reward offered by the Guthrie family alongside a separate $100,000 reward from the FBI. Meanwhile, a report by WHSV cites an additional $102,500 reward offered through 88-CRIME.

Law enforcement officials continue to urge the public to submit any potentially relevant information. Tips can be directed to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submitted directly through the Pima County Sheriff's Department’s dedicated tipline and online portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What DNA evidence is currently being analyzed in the Nancy Guthrie investigation?

While authorities previously disclosed in July that a hair found inside Nancy Guthrie’s home did not yield a suspect match, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed on October 30 that investigators traveled to Florida earlier in October to consult with laboratory scientists on advancing DNA evidence. Officials have not disclosed the exact nature of the forensic samples discussed during the Florida consultation or whether new testing methods have yet produced results.

Has the recent text-message ransom demand been connected to the case?

No. Authorities reviewed a newly discussed text-message ransom note in early November and ruled it not credible. This follows an earlier announcement by the FBI on July 1 stating that several prior ransom messages sent to media outlets, including cryptocurrency demands, were illegitimate extortion attempts.

How can the public submit tips or qualify for the reward?

Anyone with information regarding Nancy Guthrie's disappearance or the identity of the masked individual seen on her doorbell camera can contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or reach out to the Pima County Sheriff's Department via their tipline or online submission form. Separate reward offers—including $1 million from the family, $100,000 from the FBI, and $102,500 reported via 88-CRIME—remain active for information leading to her recovery or the resolution of the case.

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