URGENT RANSOM DEADLINE Just Hours From Now Announced During Press Conference - Search for Nancy Guthrie

The high-stakes investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC's Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has taken a chilling turn with an alleged ransom demand threatening her life unless millions in Bitcoin are paid by a rapidly approaching deadline.

Authorities confirmed Thursday that multiple identical ransom notes—sent earlier this week to media outlets including TMZ and Tucson-based stations KOLD and KGUN—demand a substantial sum in cryptocurrency, reportedly in the millions of dollars, wired to a verified Bitcoin address. The notes include an explicit threat of harm if the payment is not made, along with specific, unreleased details about the crime scene, such as references to an Apple Watch and a floodlight, as well as what Nancy Guthrie was wearing on the night she vanished.

The most immediate pressure point: one of the notes sets a first deadline of 5 p.m. today (Thursday, February 5, 2026), with a secondary deadline reportedly falling next Monday. FBI Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke emphasized during a press conference that the communications contain no proof of life and no follow-up contact from the sender(s) has occurred, heightening fears for the elderly woman's safety.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos reiterated that investigators believe Nancy Guthrie was forcibly abducted from her Tucson-area home sometime after 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, February 1. Evidence at the scene—including signs of forced entry, a struggle, and blood confirmed to be hers on the front porch—supports the kidnapping theory. No suspects have been identified, and no one has been ruled out.Adding to the tension, authorities announced an arrest in connection with an "imposter ransom demand," describing one of the notes as not credible and unrelated to the actual abductor(s). Details about the individual arrested were not released.

Savannah Guthrie and her family have publicly pleaded for any information, including a call from those responsible to establish direct communication. A $50,000 reward has been offered by the FBI for tips leading to Nancy's safe return.

As the 5 p.m. deadline looms, law enforcement continues an intensive search across the region, with hostage negotiators involved and the full resources of federal and local agencies deployed. Officials stress that time is critical, urging the public to remain vigilant while the family endures what Sheriff Nanos described as an unimaginable ordeal. Updates are expected as developments unfold.

17GEN4.com