Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is alerting the public of a new scam connected to the ongoing search for Today coanchor Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie.
“Statement regarding online and email misinformation in connection to the Nancy Guthrie investigation,” the department shared in a statement via X on Tuesday, July 14.
Authorities noted that they were “aware” of several social media posts circulating online featuring a QR code requesting money to aid the ongoing investigation into the 84-year-old’s mysterious disappearance.
“PCSD will never ask for money related to this case, or any investigation,” Tuesday’s statement read. “Please do not send money to people you do not know or scan QR codes requesting payment. If you see one of these posts, ignore it and report it. Stay alert and help spread the word.”
Statement regarding online and email misinformation in connection to the Nancy Guthrie investigation. pic.twitter.com/H4QCniYbEA
— Pima County Sheriff’s Department (@PimaSheriff) July 14, 2026
It has been nearly six months since Nancy went missing from her Arizona home in the early hours of February 1. Savannah took a two-month leave from her role as Today coanchor after news of her mother’s disappearance was made public.
Savannah said in a March interview with her former coworker Hoda Kotb that her sister, Annie Guthrie, was the one to inform her that her mother was missing.
“She was in a panic, I was in a panic,” Savannah recalled. “We thought that she must have had some kind of medical episode in the night and somehow the paramedics had come, because the back doors were propped open and that didn’t make any sense.”
Authorities have yet to name a suspect in Nancy’s disappearance. However, the FBI has released a series of photos and video clips of a person wearing an all-black outfit — including a face covering — captured on Nancy’s doorbell camera on the night she disappeared.
There have also been several reports of ransom notes sent to various news outlets about receiving Bitcoin in exchange for Nancy’s return. Last month, it was reported that one ransom note alluded to Nancy’s death.
“I don’t have any comment on this story. I’m not involved in our coverage, but I can’t pretend I’m not here,” Savannah said during a June 23 Today broadcast, after a segment on the notes aired. “Since I am, I just wanted to take the opportunity to ask people — really, to beg people — to come forward.”
She added, “Somebody knows something. This is a news story today that is on your radar, because this is the life my sister lives, that I live, that my brother lives and our extended families live, that our children live every day. We are in agony. We cannot be in peace.”
