What began as a troubling missing persons report for an 84-year-old woman has turned into a high-risk kidnapping investigation. Nancy Guthrie, the mother of the famous anchor of NBC's Today programme Savannah Guthrie, vanished into thin air from her home in Tucson, leaving behind a trail of disturbing evidence and a shadow linked to the world of cryptocurrency.
Blood on the doorstep: the case becomes criminal
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the evening of 31 January, after being driven home by family members. The alarm was triggered the following morning, when the woman failed to show up for Sunday church services. Upon arriving at her residence in the exclusive Catalina Foothills area, relatives found an alarming scene.
New footage shows traces of blood and a missing Ring video intercom camera at Nancy Guthrie's home, according to reports from the news channel.
More footage shows blood, missing Ring doorbell camera at the home of Nancy Guthrie pic.twitter.com/pbubB0trFw https://t.co/p32kkypE7P
- BensonNewsHub (@BensonNewsHub) February 3, 2026
Authorities confirmed the discovery of blood spatter at the entrance to the home. Forensic tests later validated that the blood did indeed belong to Nancy Guthrie.
This detail, combined with the discovery that the doorbell camera system had been removed or deactivated, prompted the Pima County Sheriff's Department and the FBI to classify the event as a violent abduction.
The woman's mobile phone, wallet and car were found inside the house, as well as vital medication that the elderly woman has to take daily. Nothing indicates a voluntary departure.
The shadow of Bitcoin: a millionaire ransom?
The case has taken on even darker contours with the emergence of alleged ransom demands. According to various media rumours, communications were sent demanding the payment of 'millions of dollars in Bitcoin', complete with timeframes and digital wallet addresses.
However, investigators are maintaining the utmost caution. The police have not yet confirmed the authenticity of these requests nor verified whether they actually came from the kidnappers. To date, no direct contact has been established between the kidnappers and the Guthrie family, leaving the case in limbo without a 'living proof'.
Looting and arrests: the fake extortionist
The investigation was further complicated by Derrick Callella, a California resident, who was arrested on charges of sending fraudulent messages about Bitcoin payments to members of the Guthrie family.
Law enforcement officials have made it clear that Callella is not connected to the kidnapping. He would be an 'opportunist' who sought to exploit the media resonance of the case to extort money, a phenomenon that is unfortunately on the rise in high-profile kidnappings involving public figures.
An agonizing wait
Nancy Guthrie, described as a woman who led a reserved life out of the spotlight, has become the focus of national attention because of her daughter's notoriety. Savannah Guthrie has temporarily suspended her television commitments to follow the search closely.
There are currently no official suspects. Investigators' priority remains locating Nancy and determining the exact dynamics of what appears to be a forced and violent abduction from her home.
