Nancy Guthrie Update: Family Admits 'Unintentional' Things Happen in Abduction

A handwritten plea outside a quiet Tucson home has intensified the search for Nancy Guthrie, as her family publicly acknowledges that 'unintentional' things can happen in abduction cases while urging those responsible to 'do the right thing'.

The disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie has shaken her family and drawn national attention, particularly because her daughter is television presenter Savannah Guthrie. Nearly a month after she was taken from her Tucson-area home, the family has adopted a tone that is at once compassionate and desperate, with a new sign erected outside the property delivering a carefully worded appeal to the kidnappers, suggesting that mistakes can be made but choices still matter.

A Sign That Speaks Volumes

Local reports confirm the sign was recently placed outside Nancy Guthrie's home with wording directed squarely at whoever took her.

'Unintentional things happen, and we get that. Life is made up of choices. Please make the right one now,' the message reads in part. The language marks a subtle but significant shift. Rather than solely condemning those involved, the family appears to be appealing to their conscience.

Another line urges: 'Give the Guthries hope with proof of life, or tell them where Nancy is so they can get her and end this nightmare on both sides. The Guthries and the whole country are counting on you ... Do the right thing.'

The phrase 'unintentional things happen' has sparked discussion, with some interpreting it as an attempt to lower barriers for the abductors to come forward without fear of immediate reprisal. By framing the situation as a choice rather than a condemnation, the family suggests that, whatever happened on 31 January, there is still an opportunity to correct it.

A Vulnerable Adult Taken

Nancy Guthrie was reported taken from her Tucson-area home at the end of January and has been classified as a vulnerable adult. The FBI has stated that she has difficulty walking, relies on a pacemaker, and requires daily medication for a heart condition, factors that have heightened concerns about her well-being.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department continues to work alongside federal agents, coordinating search efforts and community outreach. Photos and video of a masked individual seen on Nancy Guthrie's doorstep were released by the FBI on 10 February, and investigators hope someone will recognise the figure or provide a crucial tip.

Reward Increased to $1 Million

In a video shared this week, Savannah Guthrie confirmed that the family is offering up to $1 million (approximately £738,000) for information leading to her mother's safe return. Her appeal was composed but emotional. 'We know we are not alone in our loss,' she said. 'We know there are millions of families who have suffered with uncertainty.'

The FBI is also offering a separate reward of up to $100,000 (approximately £74,100) for information leading to the location of Nancy Guthrie or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance. By combining the family's offer with the federal reward, the case now carries significant financial incentive for potential informants.

National Attention and Shared Grief

Because of Savannah Guthrie's prominence as a national broadcaster, her mother's disappearance has drawn extensive media coverage. Yet Savannah Guthrie has repeatedly stressed that her family's pain is not unique, expressing hope that the spotlight on her mother's case might also help other families experiencing similar anguish. Investigators continue to urge anyone with information to come forward.

A Plea for Closure

As days stretch into weeks, the new sign stands as both a message and a symbol. For the Guthrie family, it represents hope that empathy might succeed where fear has not. Above all, the words are a reminder that behind the headlines is an elderly woman in need of care and a family desperate for closure. Whether the appeal to 'do the right thing' will prompt a breakthrough remains to be seen. For now, the focus remains on bringing Nancy Guthrie home safely and ending what her family has called 'this nightmare on both sides'.