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Chilling new details have emerged amid the search for Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother, Nancy Guthrie.
Hours after TMZ reported that they’d received an alleged ransom note for Nancy, 84, the outlet obtained disturbing footage taken by NewsNation Senior National Correspondent Brian Entin. The video shows what appears to be a trail of blood drops coming from Nancy’s front door in Tucson, Arizona.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office has not addressed the footage, and it remains unclear whose blood was shown in the video. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos previously told reporters that aspects of the scene at Nancy’s home caused “grave concern,” hinting at evidence of a struggle.
“This one stood out because of what was described to us at the scene and what we found and located just in looking at the scene,” Nanos said during a Sunday, Feb. 1, press conference. “I hope we find her safe and sound, but we can’t ignore what’s in front of us.”
Nanos has also confirmed that he believes Nancy was “abducted.”
Keep scrolling for a timeline of events since Nancy went missing:
Saturday, Jan. 31
Nancy was last seen in her home outside Tucson. Authorities believe she may have been abducted in the middle of the night after she went to bed on Jan. 31.
“At this point, investigators believe she was taken from the home against her will, possibly in the middle of the night. Taken against her will includes possible kidnapping or abduction,” a public information officer for the Pima County sheriff’s department told Entertainment Weekly on Monday, Feb. 2.
Sunday, Feb. 1
A friend from Nancy’s church became concerned when she didn’t show up for Sunday service and called one of her adult children. Nancy’s family went to check on her at home and knew they needed to call 911 after seeing the scene.
Nancy was reported missing that same day, and Sheriff Nanos addressed her disappearance in a press conference. Nanos said that the scene at Nancy’s home was “very concerning,” noting that homicide detectives had been called.
“We saw some things at the home that were concerning to us,” Nanos said. “We believe now after we’ve processed that crime scene that we do in fact have a crime scene, that we do in fact have a crime, and we’re asking the community’s help.”
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Nanos emphasized that Nancy is “of good sound mind” with “no cognitive issues at all.” She does, however, have physical health problems, taking daily medication to survive.
“She is very limited in her mobility … we know she didn’t just walk out of there,” the sheriff said. “The clock is literally ticking. It’s been more than 24 hours since she disappeared.”
Monday, Feb. 2
Savannah was absent from “Today” amid the search for her mom. In a statement shared with the news program, she said, “On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support. Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom. We thank law enforcement for their hard work on this case and encourage anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.”
She also shared an Instagram statement asking her followers to “please pray” for her mother’s safe return.
That same day, Nanos told CBS news that he believes Nancy was “abducted” from her home.
“She didn’t walk from there. She didn’t go willingly,” he said.
Tuesday, Feb. 3
TMZ received a purported ransom note for Nancy. According to the outlet, the note demanded that “millions” of dollars worth of Bitcoin be sent to a specific Bitcoin address in exchange for Nancy Guthrie’s release “or else.”
TMZ reported that the ransom note sender attempted to prove their connection to Nancy’s case by describing an item that was allegedly damaged when Nancy was abducted. The outlet forwarded the ransom note to the Pima County Sheriff.
“We are aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s) regarding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a statement shared via X. “Anything that comes in, goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI.”
It remains unclear whether the ransom note sender is connected to Nancy’s disappearance.
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Hours after reporting on the alleged ransom note, TMZ highlighted NewsNation’s footage of blood drops outside Nancy’s front door.
Amid the search for her mom, Savannah pulled out of 2026 Olympics Winter coverage. She was originally slated to report live from the games.
“Savannah will not be joining us at the Olympics as she focuses on being with her family during this difficult time,” an NBC Sports spokesperson confirmed on Feb. 3. “Our hearts are with her and the entire Guthrie family as the search continues for their mother. We will share additional information about our Opening Ceremony coverage plans soon.”
Wednesday, Feb. 4
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office released a statement emphasizing that no suspects or persons of interest have been identified. The statement came after former NewsNation host Ashleigh Banfield claimed that Nancy’s son-in-law Tommaso Cioni might be a suspect. Cioni is married to Savannah’s sister Annie.
“At this point, investigators have not identified a suspect or person of interest in this case,” the statement began. “Detectives continue to speak with anyone who may have had contact with Mrs. Guthrie. Detectives are working closely with the Guthrie family. While we appreciate the public’s concern, the sharing of unverified accusations or false information is irresponsible and does not assist the investigation.”
That same day, Guthrie released an Instagram video pleading for the safe return of Nancy. With her brother Camron and sister Annie at her side, Guthrie spoke directly to her mom’s potential captors.
“As a family, we are doing everything that we can. We are ready to talk,” she said. “However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please, reach out to us.”
Thursday, Feb. 5
During a press conference, Jon Edwards, the assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s Tucson office, revealed that one arrest had been made “related to an imposter ransom demand.” He warned those “trying to take advantage and profit” from Nancy’s disappearance that fake ransom note senders will be “held accountable.”
Later in the press conference, Nanos confirmed that the blood drops found outside Nancy’s home belonged to Nancy.
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Tuesday, Feb. 10
FBI Director Kash Patel shared chilling footage and photos of a masked person outside Nancy’s home the night she went missing. In a statement shared via X, he noted that law enforcement had recovered the footage via “backend systems” after Nancy’s security camera was removed.
The video showed an armed individual wearing gloves and a ski mask grabbing leaves and placing them over Nancy’s security camera.
The same day the FBI released photos of the masked individual, Carlos Palazuelos spoke out after being detained as a person of interest.
“They held me against my will. They didn’t even read me my rights until two hours later,” Palazuelos told CBS News. “I didn’t do anything. I’m innocent.”
Authorities are conducting DNA testing on a black glove found near Guthrie’s home that “appears to match the gloves of the subject in the surveillance video,” the FBI said in a statement on Sunday, Feb. 15.
Monday, Feb. 16
Nanos confirmed that all members of the Guthrie family have been cleared of any suspicion.
“To be clear … the Guthrie family — to include all siblings and spouses — has been cleared as possible suspects,” the sheriff said in a statement. “The family has been nothing but cooperative and gracious and are victims in this case. To suggest otherwise is not only wrong, it is cruel.”
Nanos continued: “The Guthrie family are victims plain and simple. Please, I’m begging you the media to honor your profession and report with some sense of compassion and professionalism.”
