🚨 “A MYSTERIOUS TALL STRANGER WAS LURKING…” Neighbors’ chilling sighting before Nancy Guthrie vanished has America on edge. 😱

In the quiet Catalina Foothills neighborhood outside Tucson, a resident spotted a tall, unfamiliar man prowling the area just days before the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie disappeared from her home. Was he watching? Planning? The family is terrified this shadowy figure holds the key to what happened that fateful night…

Blood drops on the porch, a propped-open door, ransom demands in Bitcoin for millions, and now this eerie eyewitness account of a strange man hanging around. No suspect named, no proof of life, deadlines passing… The nation watches in horror as the clock ticks for an elderly woman with a pacemaker who needs daily meds to survive.

What did the neighbor really see? Could this tall mystery man be the abductor—or part of something bigger? The full terrifying details, timeline, and why experts fear the worst… right below.💔

The investigation into the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has taken on a more ominous tone as neighbors report seeing a tall, unfamiliar man lingering in the area in the days leading up to her vanishing from her Catalina Foothills home.

Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the evening of January 31, 2026, after dining and playing games with family members. She returned home around 9:50 p.m., according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. The next day, February 1, she failed to attend church services, prompting family members to check on her. When they found no sign of her, they contacted authorities at approximately 12:03 p.m.

Investigators quickly determined that foul play was likely involved. Evidence at the scene included drops of blood confirmed to match Nancy Guthrie’s DNA on the front porch, a door that appeared to have been propped open, and signs of forced entry. Her wallet, cellphone, and other personal items were left behind, and her security cameras were reportedly disabled or smashed.

The case has drawn national attention due to Savannah Guthrie’s prominence as a journalist and television personality. The FBI’s Phoenix Field Office has joined the Pima County Sheriff’s Department in the probe, classifying it as a potential kidnapping. A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to Guthrie’s recovery or the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Adding to the unease, neighbors have come forward with accounts of suspicious activity in the quiet, upscale Catalina Foothills neighborhood in the days before the disappearance. One resident described observing a tall, unfamiliar man in the vicinity, describing him as large in stature and unknown to the community. This sighting has fueled speculation that the individual may have been surveilling the home or involved in the events that unfolded.

While specific details about the man’s appearance beyond his height and unfamiliarity remain limited in public reports, the account has contributed to growing concern among locals and investigators. The neighborhood’s secluded nature, with large properties, minimal street lighting, and a preference for “dark skies” to preserve stargazing, has been cited by residents as factors that could allow such activity to go unnoticed. One neighbor told media outlets that the area is “pitch-black” at night, rendering many security cameras ineffective.

Compounding the mystery, a neighbor across the street from Guthrie’s home, Brett McIntire, reported spotting an unmarked white full-sized van parked on the street in the days prior to the disappearance. McIntire, 72, noted that the vehicle lacked any company branding or signage, which stood out because service vehicles in the area typically display logos. He reported the observation to police during questioning, describing it as suspicious given the circumstances.

Other reports have mentioned additional suspicious activity nearby, including a trespasser spotted in a yard close to Guthrie’s residence and a vehicle creeping up a driveway, prompting a 911 call. These incidents, while not directly linked, have heightened fears that the area may have been targeted.

The investigation has also been complicated by purported ransom demands. Multiple notes sent to media outlets and possibly law enforcement have demanded millions of dollars in Bitcoin for Guthrie’s safe return, with deadlines that have come and gone without resolution or proof of life. One note reportedly set a $6 million demand with a 5 p.m. deadline on February 9, which passed without further communication or evidence that the sender holds Guthrie. Authorities have expressed uncertainty about the authenticity of these notes, with experts suggesting they could be opportunistic hoaxes exploiting the high-profile nature of the case.

Nancy Guthrie, born January 27, 1942, is described as a vulnerable adult. She requires daily medication for a heart condition and relies on a pacemaker. Her family has emphasized the urgency of her situation, noting that without her medications, her health could deteriorate rapidly.

In emotional video pleas posted on social media, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have addressed potential captors directly, stating their willingness to pay and begging for proof that their mother is alive. “We received your message and we understand,” Savannah said in one update. “We will pay.” The family has released multiple such videos as the search enters its second week.

Search efforts have involved tracking dogs, drones, helicopters, and ground teams scouring the Arizona desert landscape surrounding Tucson. Investigators have returned to Guthrie’s home multiple times, searching areas including the roof (prompted by a neighbor’s observation of recent activity there), septic tank, and manhole covers. The sheriff acknowledged early missteps, such as prematurely releasing the crime scene and delays in deploying certain resources, including the department’s search aircraft.

Former FBI profilers and experts have weighed in, describing Guthrie as a “low-risk” victim due to her age and lifestyle, suggesting the abduction—if confirmed—may have been targeted rather than random. Theories range from a planned kidnapping possibly linked to cryptocurrency demands to more opportunistic crimes. Some have speculated about connections to Mexico given proximity to the border, though no evidence supports this publicly.

The neighborhood remains on edge, with residents installing additional lighting and documenting anything unusual. One local association representative expressed shock, stating they had “never heard of any crime like this” in the area.

As of February 10, 2026, no suspect has been publicly identified, and there is still no confirmed proof that Nancy Guthrie is alive. The FBI continues to urge anyone with information to come forward.

The case has captivated the public, with online discussions, theories, and tips flooding social media and tip lines. President Donald Trump reportedly spoke with family members, and celebrity support has amplified calls for her safe return.

For now, the Guthrie family and investigators cling to hope amid mounting questions. The sighting of the tall mysterious man, the unmarked van, the blood evidence, and the unanswered ransom notes paint a picture of a calculated and chilling crime in an otherwise peaceful community.