Police have issued an update on the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of famous television anchor Savannah Guthrie.
Authorities in Arizona now say they believe the 84-year-old was forcibly taken from her home. Investigators have confirmed the case is being treated as an abduction rather than a missing person incident.
Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance has drawn national attention because of her daughter’s public profile. Savannah Guthrie is a long-serving anchor on NBC’s Today show.
Law enforcement officials say media attention has not altered how the investigation is being handled. They emphasized that the priority remains locating Nancy safely.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said evidence at the home indicates Nancy did not leave voluntarily. Officials described the circumstances as suspicious and deeply concerning.
The investigation has since escalated into a full criminal case. Authorities are continuing to release updates as new information becomes available.
Sheriff’s officials said the situation remains fluid and active. They are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any relevant information. Police confirmed that multiple agencies are now involved in the search.
The FBI has joined local authorities to assist with the investigation.
Who is Savannah Guthrie
Savannah Guthrie is one of the most recognizable figures in American broadcast journalism. She serves as co-anchor of NBC’s Today show.
The program is among the longest-running and most-watched morning news shows in the United States. Guthrie has held the role for more than a decade.
Born in 1971, Guthrie built her career as a journalist with a strong background in law and politics. She worked in local television news before joining NBC News.
Over time, she became a legal analyst and White House correspondent. Her reporting covered major political and legal developments.
Guthrie later transitioned to the anchor desk on Today. Her promotion marked a significant milestone in her career.
She has since interviewed world leaders, covered national crises, and moderated political debates. Her role places her among the most influential figures in television news.
In addition to her daily work, Guthrie has hosted major NBC events. These include coverage of national ceremonies and Olympic broadcasts.
She was scheduled to co-host coverage of the Winter Olympics opening ceremony this week. The BBC reported it remains unclear whether she will appear due to her mother’s disappearance.
Nancy Guthrie and family background
Savannah Guthrie has often spoken publicly about her mother’s influence.
Nancy Guthrie raised three children after the death of Savannah’s father, Charles Guthrie. He died when Savannah was 16 years old, according to NBC. Guthrie has credited her mother with shaping her values and resilience.
Over the years, Savannah has shared tributes to Nancy on air and online. She has described her mother as selfless, faithful, and quietly strong.
Those descriptions appeared frequently during milestone birthdays and holidays. Guthrie has said her mother played a central role in her personal and professional life.
In 2022, Savannah marked Nancy’s 80th birthday with a public tribute. She wrote that her mother’s steadfastness helped her children succeed.
She said Nancy’s confidence gave them the foundation to pursue their goals. The message highlighted the depth of their relationship.
On Mother’s Day in 2024, Guthrie again honored her mother publicly. She referred to Nancy as “God’s first, best and most important gift to me.”
The post reflected ongoing admiration and gratitude. Friends and colleagues have since shared support with the Guthrie family.
What Savannah Guthrie has said publicly
Savannah Guthrie was absent from the Today show on Monday, February 2. Her co-anchor Craig Melvin addressed viewers at the start of the broadcast.
He described the situation as a deeply personal matter for the show’s team. He confirmed Guthrie was dealing with a family emergency.
Instead of appearing on air, Guthrie released a written statement. The statement was shared by her colleagues during the broadcast.
“On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support,” she said. The statement was reported by Hello magazine.
Guthrie said the family’s focus remains on her mother’s safe return. She thanked law enforcement for their ongoing efforts.
She also encouraged anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. The statement included the department’s public tip line number.
Later that evening, Guthrie posted a message on Instagram. The message was more personal and emotional in tone.
She wrote about her belief in prayer and asked followers to join her family. She expressed hope that collective prayers could help bring her mother home.
“Thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom,” she wrote. She described Nancy as a woman of deep conviction and faith.
Guthrie closed the post with a direct plea to readers. “Bring her home,” she wrote.
Timeline of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson. Authorities say she was last accounted for around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 31.
The area is known as a quiet and affluent residential community. Neighbors described it as typically safe and peaceful.
Concern arose the following morning when Nancy did not attend church. Family members said her absence was unusual and alarming.
They went to her home to check on her wellbeing. After failing to locate her, they contacted emergency services around noon on Sunday.
When deputies arrived, they found signs that troubled investigators. The lights inside the home were on. Nancy’s phone, wallet, and car were still inside or on the property.
The front door was unlocked, according to authorities. There were also reported signs of forced entry.
Because of those circumstances, homicide detectives were called to the scene. Officials said this step is not standard in typical missing person cases.
CBS reported that the decision reflected immediate concerns about foul play. The home was secured and treated as a potential crime scene.
Search efforts and medical concerns
A large-scale search operation was launched shortly after the report. Authorities deployed helicopters, drones, and a fixed-wing aircraft.
Heat sensors and infrared technology were also used. Trained search-and-rescue teams and volunteer groups joined the effort.
Search-and-rescue dogs were brought in to assist. Some of the dogs were provided by US Customs and Border Protection.
Officials said the search covered surrounding neighborhoods and desert terrain. Despite extensive efforts, no sign of Nancy was found during the initial search phase.
By Monday, officials announced the search had shifted focus. The case moved from a rescue operation to a criminal investigation.
Authorities said the lack of evidence suggesting she left on her own led to that decision. Investigators began prioritizing evidence collection and witness interviews.
Police released a detailed physical description of Nancy Guthrie. She is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs about 150 pounds.
She has brown hair and blue eyes. Officials stressed the importance of identifying her quickly if she is seen.
Authorities also highlighted serious medical concerns. Family members told investigators Nancy has significant mobility limitations.
They said she could not walk more than 50 yards unassisted. However, officials emphasized she has no cognitive impairments. Sheriff Chris Nanos described her as “sharp as a tack.”
Police warned that Nancy requires daily medication. They said missing those medications could be fatal. That information has increased urgency around the investigation.
Officials urged anyone who sees her to contact authorities immediately.
Community reaction and police statements
Residents of the Catalina Foothills neighborhood expressed shock at the situation. Many said serious crimes are rare in the area. One neighbor, Jeff Lamie, spoke to reporters about the concern spreading through the community. He described the disappearance as highly unusual.
“It’s a very quiet neighborhood,” Lamie said. “It’s a very safe neighborhood.” He added that residents are deeply worried about Nancy. Several neighbors have volunteered to help search nearby areas. Others are reviewing footage from home security cameras.
Sheriff Chris Nanos has been the primary spokesperson for the investigation. He has spoken to reporters multiple times since Sunday. On Monday, he said he firmly believes Nancy was abducted. He stated that she did not leave her home willingly.
“I believe she was abducted, yes,” Nanos said. “She didn’t walk from there. She didn’t go willingly.” He added that investigators believe someone entered the home during the night. He said Nancy was forced to leave against her will.
Nanos confirmed the house is being treated as a crime scene. He said investigators observed circumstances that were suspicious and concerning.
While he declined to provide specific details, he said evidence pointed toward foul play. He emphasized the investigation is ongoing.
Authorities addressed possible motives during a press briefing. Nanos said there is no clear indication Nancy was targeted because of her daughter’s fame. However, he said investigators cannot rule that out. Police are examining whether she may have been stalked or harassed.
Officials also stated there is no evidence linking the case to cartel activity. They said proximity to the Mexican border does not appear relevant. The FBI’s involvement reflects the seriousness of the case. Investigators continue to analyze evidence and tips.
Ongoing investigation and public appeal
A nonprofit organization called 88-Crime has offered a reward. The group is offering up to $2,500 for information leading to an arrest. Authorities hope the incentive will encourage witnesses to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously through the group.
Sheriff Nanos ended one briefing with a direct appeal. “Just call us, let her go,” he said. He urged anyone involved to release Nancy safely. He also asked residents to review security footage from early Sunday morning.
Investigators are particularly interested in footage from 1:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. Nanos said even small details could matter. He encouraged people to report anything unusual. “You never know what you’ll see,” he said.
The investigation remains active. Authorities continue to ask for public assistance. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.
Featured image credit: @savannahguthrie/Instagram
