A deeply unsettling situation is unfolding in Arizona as authorities continue the search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, who has been reported missing under what law enforcement is calling increasingly concerning circumstances.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed during a press conference on Sunday, February 1, that Nancy was last seen in the Catalina Foothills area of Tucson late Saturday night, January 31, at approximately 9:45 p.m. local time, according to ABC News. A family member formally reported her missing around noon the following day.
From the outset, officials made clear that this was not a typical missing-person case. Search and rescue teams, homicide investigators, and detectives were dispatched to Nancy’s home after what Sheriff Chris Nanos described as “disturbing or concerning circumstances” were discovered at the scene. Almost immediately, law enforcement emphasized that foul play could not be ruled out.
Nancy is described as 5 feet 5 inches tall, approximately 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. While she reportedly has some physical ailments, her family told authorities that she does not suffer from cognitive conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. However, officials noted that she relies on daily medication, and failure to receive it within 24 hours could have serious—potentially fatal—consequences.
Savannah Guthrie did not appear on the Monday, February 2 episode of Today, but she issued a public statement on behalf of her family, saying:
“On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers, and messages of support. Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom. We thank law enforcement for their hard work on this case and encourage anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.”
NBC News crime reporter Tom Winter later shared that the investigation had escalated significantly, noting during the broadcast:
“They were able to get out helicopters last night that use infrared cameras. They’ve got drones up.”
By Monday afternoon, authorities publicly stated that they no longer believed Nancy left her home voluntarily. During a press conference, Sheriff Nanos said plainly:
“Did not leave on her own, we know that.”
According to TMZ, a representative for the Pima County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that abduction is “one avenue we’re looking into,” though officials declined to specify whether blood or signs of a struggle were initially found. That changed a day later, when sources told the Los Angeles Times that blood was discovered inside the home, along with possible signs of forced entry. Investigators have not confirmed whose blood it was.
Sheriff Nanos later told NBC that forensic samples were collected:
“We took some samples that we hope would have profile of a DNA, profile that gives us some identification as to what we’re looking at.”
He added, underscoring the urgency of the case:
“It is a race against time, and I hope that window hasn’t closed.”
Authorities have since shifted their approach, with Nanos explaining that law enforcement does not “see this as a search missions, as much as we do a crime scene.” The FBI has been briefed and is assisting in the investigation, according to ABC News.
Savannah has also turned to faith and community, sharing a deeply emotional message on Instagram late Monday night:
“we believe in prayer. we believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope. we believe in goodness. we believe in humanity. above all, we believe in Him.”
She continued:
“thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant. raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment. we need you.”
Savannah concluded with a verse and a plea:
“‘He will keep in perfect peace those whose hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.’ a verse of Isaiah for all time for all of us. Bring her home.”
It has since been reported that Savannah’s sister Annie was the last family member to see Nancy before she vanished. Sheriff Nanos told Us Weekly:
“We have a start point. The family took her home from dinner at about 9:30 to 9:45 [p.m. on Saturday, January 31.] So we would back that up to even say 9 or 8:30 p.m. to start looking.”
As of now, the investigation remains active and fluid. Authorities continue urging anyone in the Tucson area to review surveillance footage and report anything unusual. For Savannah Guthrie and her family, the hope is singular and unwavering: answers—and a safe return.
