Ransom Note Says Nancy Guthrie Has Died, CNN Reports

A ransom note tied to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie reportedly said the 84-year-old mother of “Today” host Savannah Guthrie had died, according to CNN and other outlets citing law enforcement sources.

The Associated Press reported that CNN said one note stated Guthrie died shortly after her disappearance from her home near Tucson, Arizona, and that those who took her did not mean to kill her. Authorities have not publicly confirmed that account.

CNN said it knew the contents of one note, while a Tucson TV station received two notes. CNN and the station reportedly withheld the notes’ contents so investigators could authenticate any future communications.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department declined to comment on the reported note contents, AP reported. The FBI did not immediately respond to AP, and the Guthrie family made no immediate public comment Monday.

Authorities believe Guthrie was taken against her will after investigators found blood near her front doorstep. The FBI later released surveillance video showing a masked man on the porch that night.

A family member dropped Nancy Guthrie at home around 9:45 p.m. on Jan. 31, 2026, the last time she was reportedly seen, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s office. She was reported missing around noon the next day after she failed to appear for church. There is no suspect in the case as of yet.