FBI Not Aware of Contact in Nancy Guthrie Case After $6 Million Ransom Deadline Ends

The deadline for the $6 million bitcoin ransom in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has come and gone, and the FBI says they’re not aware of any ongoing contact between her family and the people claiming to be holding her.

Nancy, who’s 84 and the mother of Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was last seen at her home in Tucson, Arizona, on the evening of January 31. Family had dropped her off after dinner, but she didn’t show up for church the next morning. That’s when things turned alarming—authorities believe she was taken against her will.

Investigators found blood on the porch outside her home that matched Nancy’s DNA, confirming this isn’t just a case of someone wandering off. No suspects or persons of interest have been named publicly, even as the search stretches into its second week.

The ransom demands started showing up in notes sent to local TV stations like KOLD and KGUN, plus TMZ. The first one asked for $4 million in bitcoin by February 5. When that passed without payment (as far as we know), it jumped to $6 million, due by 5 p.m. on February 9. The FBI hasn’t said whether any money changed hands, but their spokesperson, Connor Hagan, made it clear: “The FBI is not aware of any continued communication between the Guthrie family and suspected kidnappers.”

The family, including Savannah and her siblings, has been putting out heartfelt videos pleading for help and even signaling they’d pay to get Nancy back safely. It’s heartbreaking to watch—Savannah has spoken about being in an “hour of desperation” while investigators keep working around the clock.

A 24-hour command post is up and running in Tucson, with extra FBI teams from across the country helping out. There’s a $50,000 reward now for any tip that leads to Nancy’s recovery or an arrest in the case. If you have any information, call 1-800-CALL-FBI or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.

There have been some hiccups along the way, like fake ransom notes from imposters—one person was even arrested for sending one. Authorities are warning people not to exploit the situation, as those responsible will face charges.

So far, no solid leads on who might be behind this, and questions linger about the ransom notes’ authenticity. The focus remains on bringing Nancy home safely—she’s someone who needs her medication, and time is critical. Everyone’s hoping for a positive outcome soon.