FBI Director Patel Rushes to Tucson Amid Trump’s Pledge to Aid Search for Savannah Guthrie’s Missing Mother
TUCSON, Ariz. — FBI Director Kash Patel is en route to Tucson, Arizona, as President Donald Trump has mobilized federal resources to assist in the urgent search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie.
The high-profile involvement comes days after Nancy Guthrie vanished from her home in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson under suspicious circumstances, with authorities believing she was abducted against her will.[1][2][3]
Trump’s Direct Intervention
President Trump announced his commitment on Truth Social, stating he had spoken directly with Savannah Guthrie and was directing “ALL Federal Enforcement to the family, and Law Enforcement, complete disposal, IMMEDIATELY.” He emphasized deploying all resources to bring her mother home safely.[1][5]
Attorney General Pam Bondi, a longtime acquaintance of Guthrie for over 25 years, also contacted the family by phone and is receiving ongoing updates.[1]
Details of the Disappearance
Nancy Guthrie, who lives alone and has limited mobility due to health issues including a delicate heart condition and constant pain, was last seen at her home around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026. She requires daily medication to survive, and officials warn her condition could be life-threatening without it.[1][2][3][4]
Family members reported her missing around noon on Sunday after a church member noticed her absence and alerted them. Upon searching her residence, investigators discovered signs of forced entry, leading them to conclude she was taken against her will, possibly while asleep early Sunday morning.[2][3][4]
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed during a Tuesday news conference that detectives believe the disappearance was not voluntary. “We do believe that Nancy was taken from her home against her will, and that’s where we’re at,” Nanos stated. He added that Guthrie is of sound mind and could not have left on her own.[2][3]
FBI Escalation and Task Force
In response to the crisis, the FBI is deploying additional agents, including a supervisor to lead a specialized task force with experts in hostage negotiation, data storage systems, networks, and secure digital devices. Patel’s personal involvement underscores the federal priority on the case.[1][3][4]
Elite Border Patrol units are also assisting, according to multiple officials. FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jon Edwards urged the public during Tuesday’s briefing: “We are looking at this from every angle, but we need your help. Every lead and tip is important.”[3][4]
Over a hundred investigators have searched Guthrie’s home, and authorities are analyzing DNA, surveillance video, and hundreds of tips received.[2][5][6]
Ransom Notes Under Scrutiny
Complicating the investigation, multiple media outlets, including local station KGUN, received purported ransom notes on Tuesday, which were immediately forwarded to law enforcement. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is treating them seriously but has not confirmed their legitimacy, cautioning that voices and images can be easily distorted in today’s digital world.[1][2][3]
No suspect or person of interest has been identified as of Wednesday, and Nanos noted there is no credible evidence the abduction was targeted.[2]
Family’s Heartfelt Plea
Savannah Guthrie, alongside her siblings, released a poignant Instagram video on Wednesday imploring for their mother’s safe return. “Everyone is looking for you, Mommy, everywhere,” Guthrie said. “We will not rest. Your children will not rest until we are together again.”[1][4][5]
She highlighted her mother’s fragility: “She’s 84 years old. Her health, her heart, is delicate. She endures constant pain and is without her medication. She requires it to survive and to avoid suffering.” The family addressed potential kidnappers directly: “We have also heard the media reports regarding a ransom letter. As a family, we are doing everything possible. We are ready to engage in conversation… We must have absolute certainty that she is alive and that you are holding her.”[1]
Ongoing Search Efforts
Detectives continue interviewing contacts who may have interacted with Nancy Guthrie, working closely with the family. The sheriff’s department posted on social media Wednesday: “Detectives continue to speak with anyone who may have had contact with Mrs. Guthrie.”[2]
Sheriff Nanos expressed cautious optimism when asked if they were searching for her alive: “We hope we are.” The public is encouraged to submit tips to local authorities or the FBI.[3][4]
As the search intensifies with federal backing, the Guthrie family clings to hope amid growing national attention. The case has captivated the public, blending celebrity, presidential intervention, and a race against time for an elderly woman’s survival.
This is a developing story. Updates will follow as new information emerges.