Savannah Guthrie's 'Kidnapped' Mom Latest: Authorities Announce the Deadline Included in the Chilling Nancy Ransom Note — As the Hunt to 'Save Her' Intensifies
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings made an emotional plea to the possible kidnappers of their mother.
Feb. 5 2026, Published 2:23 p.m. ET
Detectives searching for Savannah Guthrie's kidnapped mom have finally confirmed the existence of a ransom note from her captors, and have revealed the first deadline for their demands is quickly approaching, RadarOnline.com can report.
However, there have also been "imposter letters" from people trying to cash in on the distraught family, leading to one arrest so far.
Time is Running Out
Savannah Guthrie was flanked by her sister, Annie, and brother, Camron, in the video.
At a Thursday, February 5, news briefing, Heith Janki, the FBI Special Agent in charge of the search for Nancy Guthrie, said they still have hope that the frail 84-year-old is alive, and in the care of her kidnapper or kidnappers.
"We are aware of a ransom letter," Janki said, adding that the FBI has offered its advice and counsel to the Guthries, but "Any action taken on a ransom is ultimately decided by the family."
One of the reported ransom notes had a deadline of 5 p.m. today. Janki said there was a second deadline after that, but did not provide details about the exact timing.
"So we are continuing in a normal kidnapping case," he said, adding that they would have hoped to have had some contact with the captors by now. "But those are the time frames we're looking at as we move forward."
'Imposter Ransom Notes' Will Be Dealt With
Heith Janki, the FBI Special Agent in charge of the search for Nancy, said imposter ransom notes will be dealt with.
Janki also confirmed that at least one fraudster has been arrested for sending a fake roster demand and warned others against attempting to scam the family or authorities.
"To those imposters who are trying to take advantage and profit from this situation, we will investigate and ensure you are held accountable for your actions," he said.
A reward for any information leading to Nancy's safe return and/or capture of her abductors has been bumped up to $50,000.
The family sat together and pleaded for their mother’s safe return.
Late Wednesday night, Savannah, her sister, Annie, and brother, Camron, shared an emotional video plea to their mother and her kidnappers.
"On behalf of our family, we want to thank all of you for the prayers for our beloved mom, Nancy. We feel them, and we continue to believe that she feels them too," she said, begging the kidnappers, "bring her home."
Savannah Guthrie's Message for the Kidnappers
Savannah Guthrie indicated she might be willing to talk with the kidnappers.
Savannah also sent a message directly to the abductors, letting them know they might be willing to meet their demands.
"We are ready to talk," she said through tears. "We want to hear from you, and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us."
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos previously revealed that Nancy was taken from her home "against her will" sometime after her son-in-law dropped her off at home around 9:30 p.m. on January 31 and noon the next day, when police arrived and determined "something at the home that didn’t sit well," and declared it was a "crime scene."
DNA has confirmed the blood stains found on the tiles of Nancy's porch came from the elderly grandmother.
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Crucial Clues in the Ransom Note
The ransom note could hold crucial clues.
As the FBI pores over the ransom note, former NYPD hostage negotiator Wallace Zeins said there are already clues to who may be the mastermind of this crime.
"I believe the possibility of more than one person. She's 150 pounds, 5 foot 5, waking up in the middle of the night, not in the best of health – can't walk or run – so I would think there's more than one person involved in this particular crime."
Zeins noted the ransom note demanding millions in cryptocurrency could provide critical clues.
"What does that tell you? It tells you that it's some type of group that knows what bitcoin is all about and social media, and they know the system," he explained.
He also emphasized that whether the note was handwritten or typed could be crucial, adding, "If it was on a computer, then that helps also because the FBI is so good at what they do when it comes down to electronic surveillance and electronic stuff of that nature, then they will be able to further that investigation."
