Law enforcement officials have intensified their investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, searching the home of her daughter Annie Guthrie as the case stretches into its second week with no confirmed sightings of the missing 84-year-old. Nancy, the mother of TODAY co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, vanished on January 31 under circumstances authorities have described as “concerning” and inconsistent with a voluntary disappearance. Investigators believe she may have been abducted from her Tucson home sometime during the night, a theory reinforced by evidence recovered at the scene and her sudden break from routine. Nancy was last seen that evening after being dropped off at her house by her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, following dinner with Annie. When she failed to attend church the following morning — something family members say was entirely out of character — loved ones immediately raised the alarm. Given Nancy’s age, limited mobility, and reliance on daily medication for chronic health conditions, officials quickly escalated the search, treating her home as an active crime scene and enlisting both local and federal resources to assist in what has become one of the most closely watched missing-person cases in the country.

As the investigation unfolded, reports emerged that multiple media outlets had received what appeared to be a ransom note demanding payment in exchange for Nancy Guthrie’s safe return. While law enforcement has not released the full contents of the alleged message, officials confirmed they are actively investigating its authenticity. According to FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke, the note initially included a deadline of 5 p.m. on February 5, with a second demand setting an additional deadline for the following Monday should the first be missed. “If a transfer wasn’t made, the second demand was for next Monday,” Janke told reporters, declining to share further details in order to protect the integrity of the investigation. The existence of the note shifted the case from a missing-person inquiry to a suspected kidnapping, adding urgency and complexity. Despite the dramatic claims, authorities have stressed that no suspects, persons of interest, or vehicles have been publicly identified, and investigators continue to caution against speculation as they pursue multiple leads across different locations.

On Saturday afternoon, February 7, Savannah Guthrie appeared alongside her siblings Annie and Camron in a video message addressed directly to whoever may be holding their mother. Speaking calmly but emotionally, Savannah confirmed that the family was willing to meet the demands outlined in the alleged ransom note if it meant securing Nancy’s safe return. “We received your message and we understand,” she said. “We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.” The plea, which also emphasized Nancy’s fragile health and need for medication, quickly spread across social media and news platforms, prompting an outpouring of public support. However, just hours after the video was released, law enforcement officials were seen arriving at the home of Annie Guthrie and her husband in Tucson, located roughly four miles from Nancy’s residence. The timing immediately drew attention, raising questions about whether new information had emerged or whether the search was connected to evidence uncovered earlier in the day.

Authorities reportedly spent more than two and a half hours searching Annie Guthrie’s home, with officers present from approximately 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. local time. At least one official from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department was seen at the scene, and witnesses reported officers exiting the property carrying a white suitcase and a brown bag. Another official was observed wearing blue gloves, suggesting the collection of potential evidence. It remains unclear whether Annie had given consent for the search or whether investigators were operating under a warrant, and law enforcement has not publicly clarified the nature of the items removed. Tracy Walder, a former CIA officer and FBI special agent, told PEOPLE that while the sequence of events appeared unusual, it was not necessarily indicative of wrongdoing. “The back and forth is of course odd and we don’t see that a lot,” she said, adding that such activity could stem from a wide range of factors, including reactions to new ransom note details, the emergence of new suspects, or requests made by the family themselves. Officials have repeatedly emphasized that family members are cooperating fully and that searches do not imply guilt.

The renewed activity did not stop there. On Sunday, February 8, investigators returned to Nancy Guthrie’s home to conduct additional searches, expanding their efforts to include the property’s septic tank and a nearby manhole behind the residence. These developments underscored the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case, though they have remained tight-lipped about what, if anything, was discovered. In a brief update shared by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, officials confirmed that follow-up continues at multiple locations and reiterated that no suspects or persons of interest have been identified. “The Nancy Guthrie investigation is ongoing,” the statement read. “No scheduled press briefings. If any significant developments occur in the case, a press conference will be called.” Behind the scenes, however, the search has drawn significant federal attention. President Donald Trump publicly stated that he had directed “all federal law enforcement” to assist local authorities, following a personal conversation with Savannah Guthrie. His involvement further amplified national interest in the case, transforming what began as a local investigation into a story followed closely across the country.

For the Guthrie family, the public attention has been both a source of support and an added emotional burden. Savannah Guthrie, who has co-anchored TODAY since 2012, has spoken openly about her mother’s strength, faith, and resilience, sharing messages of prayer and hope with her followers. In one statement, she emphasized that Nancy is of sound mind and did not leave willingly, echoing the sheriff’s insistence that this was not a case of confusion or wandering. “She is 84 years old. Her health, her heart is fragile,” Savannah said in the family’s video plea. “She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive.” As the days pass with no confirmed contact, concern continues to mount, both within the family and among the public. Authorities are urging anyone with information — no matter how small it may seem — to contact the FBI or the Pima County Sheriff’s Office, stressing that even minor details could prove crucial. Until Nancy Guthrie is found, investigators say the search will continue relentlessly, driven by the urgency of time, the vulnerability of the victim, and a family’s unwavering hope for her safe return.