Share and Follow
In a striking declaration, President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he intends to pursue the death penalty should Nancy Guthrie, a missing Arizona mother, not be found alive. His comments were made during a phone interview with the New York Post, where he stated that those responsible for her disappearance would face “very, very severe… the most severe” repercussions.
When pressed on whether the Department of Justice would indeed seek the death penalty, Trump confirmed, “The most, yeah — that’s true.” This stance aligns with the legal provisions in Arizona, where the death penalty is still permissible. According to a brief from the Arizona State Senate, capital punishment remains legal in 27 states, including Arizona.
The case has drawn widespread attention, particularly due to Nancy Guthrie’s connection to high-profile individuals. As reported by CrimeOnline, Nancy, aged 84, is the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie. Nancy was last seen on January 31 after dining at the home of her daughter, Annie Guthrie. The family has been making desperate pleas for her safe return as investigations continue.
According to Arizona State Senate brief, the “death penalty is permissible in 27 states, including Arizona.”
As CrimeOnline reported, family members said Nancy Guthrie, 84, identified as the mother of “Today” show host, Savannah Guthrie, was last seen on January 31, after having dinner at her daughter Annie Guthrie’s residence.
Family members then dropped Nancy off at her Catalina Foothills residence. They reported her missing the following day when she failed to show up for church.
Earlier this month, on February 4, Trump phoned Savannah Guthrie and offered federal assistance.
Following the FBI’s involvement, footage and photos emerged from Nancy Guthrie’s Nest doorbell camera, showing an armed, masked man in black gloves.
On Thursday, the FBI labeled the man a suspect. Agents later identified a backpack he had on as a black 25-liter Ozark Trail backpack, that is sold exclusively at Walmart, CBS News reports.
Investigators subsequently spent numerous days reviewing security footage at Walmart stores. Walmart has also provided them with all purchases of that particular backpack, online and in-store, over that past multiple months.
The purchases included “sales beyond the Tucson area,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told CBS News.
Meanwhile, TMZ has received a fourth email from someone claiming to have knowledge on Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts. The email sender claimed to know who the abductors are and where Nancy currently is.
In exchange for information, the email demanded “$50,000 in bitcoin upfront.”
“I know what I saw 5 days ago south of the border and I was told to shut up so I know who he is and that was definitely Nancy with them,” the email reportedly stated.
The FBI has doubled the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved in. Guthrie’s disappearance.
The reward now stands at $100,000.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). Tipsters can also contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department tip line at 520-351-4900.
[Feature Photo: A small vigil grows near Nancy Guthrie’s house, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026 in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)]