FBI Offers Reward as Search Intensifies for Savannah Guthrie’s Missing Mom

Authorities in Arizona held a media briefing Thursday and announced several new developments in the search for Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother, Nancy Guthrie.

During the briefing, they discussed a timeline of Nancy’s movements, ransom notes, DNA evidence, and offered a $50,000 reward.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said police believe Nancy, 84, is “still out there” and law enforcement officers are working “around the clock” to bring her home. Although the sheriff confirmed there are still no suspects.

“At this time, we have not identified a suspect or a person of interest in this case,” Nanos told reporters.

He showed a timeline of Nancy’s movements on Saturday, Jan. 31, the day she was last seen before disappearing from her home in Tucson, Arizona.

Nanos confirmed an app connected to her pacemaker was disconnected on Sunday at 2:28 a.m., and said DNA tests on blood found on her porch were a positive match for the missing woman.

Reward Offered
Heith Janke, special agent in charge of the FBI Phoenix office, also spoke at the briefing. He announced a $50,000 reward for credible information leading to a rescue and or an arrest in the case.

Janke said specialized FBI agents have arrived from Quantico, Virginia to analyze digital information related to the case — including banking details, social media communications, phone logs, and other digital footprints.

Ransom Notes
He added that the FBI is taking ransom notes sent to local media outlets and TMZ “very seriously,” but said the notes did not include proof of life or a way for law enforcement or the Guthrie family to contact the sender.

According to Janke, there was a deadline in the ransom notes for Thursday, Feb. 5 at 5 p.m. [local time]. There was also a second deadline, which he did not specify.

He urged the person who abducted the octogenarian to release her unharmed.

“To anyone that may be involved, do the right thing. This is an 84-year-old grandma… that needs vital medication for her well-being. You still have the time to do the right thing before this becomes a much worse scenario for you. Please return Nancy home,” Janke said.

Imposters Surface
Janke noted that “imposters” have tried to “take advantage and profit” from the situation, by sending out phony ransom demands.

“We have made one arrest related to an imposter ransom demand and a complaint will be presented to a magistrate judge later today,” said Janke.

Fox 11 Los Angeles obtained court documents identifying the man who was arrested for allegedly sending a fake ransom demand as former Los Angeles County government employee Derrick Callella. He is accused of texting Savannah’s sister, Annie Guthrie, about a ransom payment in bitcoin.

The news outlet reported Callella is no stranger to law enforcement. He was among 13 county employees accused in October 2025, of stealing a total of $430,000 in state unemployment benefits.

Callella was charged with one felony count of grand theft and one misdemeanor count of being involved in the theft of a combined $437,383 in stolen benefits.