Authorities have ruled out a newly reported ransom message connected to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie. The development adds another setback to a case that has remained unresolved for months.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department announced that investigators had received information about a possible new ransom message and were examining whether it was credible. After further review, officials determined that the message was not trustworthy.

Investigators also addressed public discussion surrounding the message, urging anyone who receives communications claiming to be connected to Nancy’s disappearance to report them to law enforcement rather than respond independently.

A NEW LEAD RAISES QUESTIONS
The latest development emerged after a woman in the Tucson area reportedly said someone contacted her through social media, claiming Nancy was still alive and demanding money for her return. The woman reportedly questioned the claim and brought the matter to investigators’ attention.

Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether this interaction was the specific communication referenced in their announcement. They have also not disclosed the message’s full contents or identified the person responsible.

The incident underscores the difficulty investigators face when distinguishing potentially useful information from fabricated claims. In cases involving missing people, false messages can create confusion, exploit a family’s distress and divert attention from legitimate investigative leads.

PREVIOUS MESSAGES ALSO CAME UNDER SCRUTINY
Nancy disappeared from her home near Tucson, Arizona, after last being seen on January 31, 2026. Her family reported her missing the following day, and authorities believe she was taken against her will.

Earlier in the investigation, messages claiming to be from people connected to her disappearance included demands for cryptocurrency and a separate communication suggesting she might not have survived.

Investigators have publicly questioned the credibility of multiple ransom-related communications. One California man was also sentenced to probation after admitting to sending a fraudulent ransom demand connected to the case.

Despite these setbacks, authorities have continued to investigate Nancy’s disappearance. The FBI is assisting local investigators, and officials have asked the public to provide any information that could help establish what happened.

FAMILY STILL AWAITS ANSWERS
Nancy’s disappearance has drawn widespread attention because of her daughter Savannah’s public profile, but the investigation has also been marked by uncertainty and repeated false leads.

Officials have cautioned the public against treating unverified messages as evidence of Nancy’s whereabouts or condition. The latest ruling concerns the credibility of the new communication; it does not, by itself, establish what happened to Nancy.

As of the latest reported update, no arrest had been announced in connection with her disappearance, and investigators continued to seek credible information.

Anyone with relevant information should contact law enforcement rather than engage with people making unverified ransom claims.

SOURCES
Associated Press — Authorities say a recent possible ransom note in the Nancy Guthrie case is not credible