Nancy Guthrie Update Today: More than five months after Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, disappeared from her Arizona home, investigators are warning the public about a new online scam exploiting the high-profile case. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department says fraudsters are circulating fake social media posts containing QR codes that ask people to send money, falsely claiming the funds are connected to the ongoing investigation.
Authorities have stressed that law enforcement never requests donations in criminal investigations and are urging the public to report such scams immediately.
Nancy Guthrie Update Today: Police Warn Against Fake QR Code Donations in Missing Case
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has issued a public warning after discovering fraudulent online posts linked to the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. According to the department, scammers are sharing QR codes that ask users to make payments while falsely suggesting the money will support the search effort.
In a statement released on social media, the department said, “The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is aware of posts circulating about the Guthrie Investigation that include a QR code requesting money.”
Officials added, “PCSD will never ask for money related to this case, or any investigation. Please do not send money to people you do not know or scan QR codes requesting payment.”
The department urged people to ignore such posts, report them and help prevent others from becoming victims.
Nancy Guthrie Update Today: Latest Scam Follows Earlier Fraud Attempts
Authorities say the QR code scam is the latest attempt to exploit the high-profile missing persons case.
Earlier this year, investigators identified a fake GoFundMe campaign connected to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.
In another development, California resident Derrick Anthony Callella pleaded guilty to sending fabricated ransom messages to Guthrie’s family. He faces sentencing later this year after being charged with harassment using a telecommunications device. Officials have also investigated fake ransom letters that circulated online, saying several appeared to be hoaxes.
Nancy Guthrie Update Today: Investigation Into Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance Continues
Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her home in the Catalina Foothills near Tucson on the night of January 31. Family members reported her missing the following day after she failed to attend a scheduled church service.
Investigators later recovered blood outside her front door, signs of forced entry and doorbell camera footage showing a masked individual tampering with the home’s camera system shortly before her disappearance.
Sheriff Chris Nanos has previously said, “I believe she was abducted.”
Authorities have also confirmed that all immediate family members have been eliminated as suspects in the case.
Nancy Guthrie Update Today: Savannah Guthrie Appeals for Public Help
Savannah Guthrie has repeatedly urged anyone with information to contact investigators.
During an emotional television appearance, she said, “I just want to take the opportunity to ask people, to really, to beg people to come forward. Somebody knows something.”
She added, “This is a new story today that is on your radar, but this is the life that my sister lives, I live, my brother lives, our extended families live, our children live every day. We are in agony.”
Guthrie continued, “We cannot be at peace no matter how much I try to come out here every day and smile and find that joy, and I will, I promise I will, this is the moment to tell you that we need your help. We’re begging for your help. I’m not going to miss that opportunity. And so please, if you’re watching, no matter how small the reward is there, you can tell us. It can be anonymous. Please do the right thing for us, for our family, for our children. We love our mom. We’ll never stop looking for her, never.”
More recently, marking five months since her mother’s disappearance, she said, “It is five months of agony and unending trauma for our family.”
She added, “There is not a moment that goes by that we aren’t actively trying to find our mom. We thank the people of Tucson for holding her in their hearts, as well as both the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Office for their tireless work on behalf of our family. Bring her home.”
Nancy Guthrie Update Today: DNA Analysis Remains Key to Investigation
Investigators continue to rely on forensic genealogy and DNA analysis in their efforts to identify a suspect.
Sheriff Chris Nanos previously explained, “Especially when you throw in genealogy — now, you’ve got… this may not be the bad guy, but this person might be the bad guy’s relative three times over. So, that has to be broken down to see if this might be someone of interest to us.”
Meanwhile, the FBI has increased its reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s location or the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Combined with contributions from the Guthrie family and 88-CRIME, the total reward now exceeds $1.2 million.
Nancy Guthrie Update Today: Authorities Continue Public Appeal
Law enforcement agencies continue to ask anyone with credible information to contact investigators directly rather than respond to online fundraising posts.
Officials emphasise that no legitimate communication from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department or the FBI will ever request money in connection with the investigation.
