The sun sets over the rugged Catalina Foothills like a blood-red omen, casting long shadows across the quiet suburban street where Nancy Guthrie once lived a peaceful life. For 13 agonizing days, the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie has been missing, her disappearance shrouded in mystery and fear. But in a stunning twist that has electrified the nation on this Valentine’s Day, Savannah’s brother, Camron Guthrie, has come forward with a bombshell claim: He knows who took their mother. “It wasn’t just the mask,” Camron said in an exclusive interview with local affiliate KVOA, his voice cracking with emotion. “Something in the way the kidnapper moved… and suddenly, I was sure.” Now, as the clock ticks and hope fades, Camron is publicly begging for his mother’s life, pleading with the abductor to release her before it’s too late.

Savannah Guthrie Shares Throwback Video of Mom Nancy as Search Continues
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Savannah Guthrie Shares Throwback Video of Mom Nancy as Search Continues

The saga began on the evening of January 31, 2026, when Nancy was last seen alive. Dropped off at her modest home in the upscale Catalina Foothills neighborhood by her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni—husband to Savannah’s sister, Annie—after a family dinner, Nancy appeared in good spirits. Cioni, an Italian-born businessman who has been married to Annie for over two decades, told authorities he watched her enter the house safely around 8:30 p.m. No one could have predicted the horror that unfolded in the dead of night. At approximately 2:12 a.m. on February 1, surveillance footage from Nancy’s Google Nest doorbell camera captured a chilling scene: a masked figure, armed and gloved, tampering with the device before it went dark. Her pacemaker app, which tracks her heart health, disconnected shortly after, raising immediate alarms when family members checked in the next morning.

Reported missing by February 1 afternoon, the case quickly escalated into a full-scale abduction investigation. Pima County Sheriff’s Department deputies arrived to find signs of forced entry—a broken window latch and scuff marks on the doorframe—along with traces of blood near the porch. Nancy’s essential medications for her heart condition were left behind, untouched, suggesting she was taken suddenly and against her will. “This isn’t a wandering elder case,” Sheriff Chris Nanos stated in an early press conference. “We believe Nancy was abducted, and we’re treating this as a high-priority kidnapping.” The FBI joined the probe within hours, classifying it as a potential ransom situation after cryptic notes began surfacing.

The first ransom demand arrived via an anonymous email to a family contact on February 3, demanding millions in Bitcoin for Nancy’s safe return. Subsequent notes followed, including one sent to TMZ on February 12—the third such communication—escalating the urgency. Legitimacy remains unverified, but investigators are pursuing every lead, including forensic analysis of the digital trails. Adding to the intrigue, DNA evidence not matching Nancy or her family was collected from the property, including potential blood samples and fibers. Gloves possibly belonging to the suspect were discovered miles away, further complicating the puzzle.

On February 12, the FBI released enhanced details from the doorbell footage: The suspect is described as a male, approximately 5’9″ to 5’10” tall, with an average build, wearing a black 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack. The agency doubled the reward to $100,000 for information leading to Nancy’s recovery, urging residents within two miles of her home to review their security cameras. Eerie additional footage emerged on February 13, showing a similar suspicious figure approaching a neighbor’s porch on January 23—about 6.5 miles south—ringing the doorbell and fleeing when dogs barked. This suggests the abductor may have been scouting the area weeks in advance.

But the most dramatic development came today, Valentine’s Day, when Camron Guthrie, Savannah’s older brother and a retired F-16 pilot for the Vermont Air National Guard, revealed his conviction about the kidnapper’s identity.

Who Is Camron Guthrie? Everything We Know About Savannah Guthrie's Brother  Amid Mom's Disappearance
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Who Is Camron Guthrie? Everything We Know About Savannah Guthrie’s Brother Amid Mom’s Disappearance

In a tearful video posted to Savannah’s Instagram—viewed over 5 million times within hours—Camron described poring over the surveillance footage repeatedly. “I’ve watched that video a hundred times,” he said, his military-honed composure cracking. “The mask hides the face, but the way he moves—the gait, the slight limp in the left leg, the way he adjusts the backpack—it’s familiar. I know who this is.” Camron declined to name the individual publicly, citing the ongoing investigation, but sources close to the family told CNN he has shared his suspicions with the FBI, pointing to a former acquaintance with a grudge against the family.

Camron’s plea was raw and desperate: “Whoever you are, if you’re holding our mother, please contact us. We want to hear from you. Mom needs her medication; she’s 84 and fragile. Let her go—let’s end this nightmare.” The video, shared alongside a throwback photo of Nancy with her children, has sparked a fresh wave of public support and tips flooding the FBI hotline. Social media is ablaze, with hashtags like #BringNancyHome trending globally. One X post from a user read: “Camron’s words broke my heart. Praying for Nancy’s safe return.”

Nancy Guthrie’s life story is one of quiet strength and family devotion, making her abduction all the more heartbreaking. Born in Kentucky in 1941, Nancy married Charles Guthrie, a successful businessman, and raised three children in Tucson: Camron, Annie, and Savannah. Charles passed away from a heart attack when Savannah was just 16, leaving Nancy to single-handedly guide her family through grief. Savannah has often spoken glowingly of her mother, calling her “so strong” in a 2023 “Today” segment. On Nancy’s 80th birthday in 2022, Savannah posted a tribute: “Mom has met unthinkable challenges with grit, without self-pity, with determination, and always with unshakeable faith.” Nancy, a retired teacher, lived independently in her Tucson home, surrounded by memories and close to Annie and Tommaso.

Camron, 56, has emerged as the family’s spokesperson amid the crisis. A decorated Air Force veteran who flew F-16s in combat missions, he retired to Vermont but flew to Tucson immediately upon hearing of his mother’s disappearance. His military background has brought a disciplined approach to the family’s response, coordinating with authorities and making public appeals. In a February 11 statement, he said, “We’re a close-knit family, and this has shattered us.” Annie, Savannah’s sister, has remained more private but appeared in family videos pleading for information.

Savannah, 54, has stepped away from her “Today” duties to be with her family, with Hoda Kotb filling in. In a rare public statement, she shared a throwback video of Nancy, captioning it: “Mom, we’re coming for you.”

Nancy Guthrie: Inside the Life of Savannah Guthrie's Mom - Business Insider
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Nancy Guthrie: Inside the Life of Savannah Guthrie’s Mom – Business Insider

The family’s unity has been a beacon amid the darkness, but the strain is evident. Reddit users in r/Fauxmoi expressed sympathy: “Savannah’s barely keeping it together.”

Kidnapping experts have weighed in on the case’s unusual nature. “Abductions of elderly strangers are rare,” said Katie Couric in her Substack, noting most involve family or acquaintances. The suspect’s professional demeanor—tampering with cameras without panic—suggests experience, possibly a hired hand. The Bitcoin demands point to tech-savvy criminals, but the lack of proof-of-life raises fears.

Public reaction has been overwhelming. Vigils in Tucson and New York draw crowds, with celebrities like Oprah Winfrey tweeting support. True crime podcasts dissect the case, speculating on motives from random crime to targeted revenge tied to Savannah’s fame.

As SWAT teams raid nearby properties—most recently on February 13, detaining and releasing a person of interest—the investigation intensifies. Camron’s identification could be the breakthrough needed. “If he’s right, this ends today,” a source told Newsweek.

For the Guthries, every hour is torment. Nancy’s health—requiring daily heart meds—hangs in the balance. Camron’s plea echoes across the nation: “Mom, hold on. We’re bringing you home.” As America watches, one question burns: Will love conquer this nightmare?

The story of Nancy Guthrie is more than a kidnapping—it’s a testament to family bonds under siege. From her Kentucky roots to raising resilient children after widowhood, Nancy embodies quiet heroism. Savannah’s career, from local reporter to national icon, was inspired by her mother’s grit. Camron’s military service reflects the family’s patriotism, while Annie’s life in Tucson kept Nancy close.

Experts like former FBI agent Brad Garrett warn time is critical: “Elderly victims in abductions have high mortality rates.” The DNA evidence could crack the case, but delays fuel frustration.

Public tips surge, with one X user sharing: “SWAT raids home JUST 2 miles away.” Another: “Praying for the Guthries.”

As the sun rises on February 15, hope persists. Camron’s certainty might be the key. For now, a nation holds its breath, united in prayer for Nancy’s return.