NBC Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie and her family are facing a distressing situation after her mother, Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing from her home in Catalina Foothills, north of Tucson, Arizona. Authorities have revealed that they believe Nancy may have been abducted from her home while she was asleep, and the search has escalated into a full-scale criminal investigation. Nancy Guthrie, a woman of 84 who is described as mentally sharp but physically limited, has not been seen since Saturday, January 31. Her absence…NBC Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie and her family are facing a distressing situation after her mother, Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing from her home in Catalina Foothills, north of Tucson, Arizona.
Authorities have revealed that they believe Nancy may have been abducted from her home while she was asleep, and the search has escalated into a full-scale criminal investigation.
Nancy Guthrie, a woman of 84 who is described as mentally sharp but physically limited, has not been seen since Saturday, January 31. Her absence was first reported when she did not attend Sunday church services, sparking immediate concern from family members and neighbors.
Initial Reports and Timeline
According to Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, Nancy Guthrie was last seen in the evening hours of Saturday, January 31. Family members had dinner with her that evening, and she returned to her home around 9:30 to 9:45 p.m.
Authorities have since used this as the starting point for the investigation, with Nanos noting that search teams had to backtrack earlier to 8:30 or 9 p.m. to establish a timeline of her last known whereabouts.
“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,” Sheriff Nanos told US Weekly.
Investigators believe that Savannah Guthrie’s sister, Annie Guthrie, may have been the last person to see Nancy before she went missing. Annie Guthrie reportedly did not notice anything unusual during their dinner, according to law enforcement sources cited by US Weekly.
Suspected Abduction and Investigation Details
The case has now escalated into a potential criminal investigation, as authorities suspect that Nancy Guthrie was taken from her home against her will. During interviews with media outlets, Sheriff Nanos emphasized the unusual circumstances surrounding the disappearance.
“I can’t think of the last time where, in the middle of the night, in someone’s bed, an 84-year-old woman disappeared on us,” Nanos told NBC. “I believe she was abducted, yes.”
The Pima County Sheriff described what was found inside Nancy Guthrie’s home as “concerning,” though details have been limited to protect the ongoing investigation.
Extensive Search Efforts
Law enforcement has mobilized an extensive search operation, which has included:
Ground and aerial search teams
Search dogs to track potential scents
Volunteers from the community
Border Patrol assistance due to the region’s proximity to rugged terrain
Homicide unit investigators, a rare step for a missing persons case
Sheriff Nanos emphasized that these combined resources are being deployed due to the urgency of the situation and Nancy Guthrie’s vulnerability.
Physical Condition and Vulnerabilities
Nancy Guthrie faces several health and mobility challenges, which make the search especially time-sensitive. Authorities have confirmed that she:
Cannot walk 50 yards without assistance
Relies on life-saving medications
Did not take her cell phone, car, or wallet with her
These factors have heightened the urgency of the search, as she may not be able to travel far or sustain herself for an extended period on her own.
“She has been missing for almost 48 hours, and timing is very critical,” Sheriff Nanos warned. “The longer this goes on, the more danger she faces.”
Despite these physical limitations, Nancy Guthrie is described as being in good mental health. “She has no cognitive issues at all. She’s very alert, of good, sound mind,” Nanos said. “Just some physical ailments that limit her ability to move around.”
Evidence Collected
Law enforcement officials have indicated that DNA evidence was recovered from the home and sent to a lab in Phoenix for analysis. Sheriff Nanos cautioned that results could take several days.
Investigators are also reviewing neighborhood security footage from Ring cameras and other devices to identify any unusual activity in the hours surrounding her disappearance.
Authorities have encouraged residents in the Catalina Foothills area to review their footage and report anything potentially relevant.
Public Appeal for Assistance
Given the seriousness of the case, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department has asked for public cooperation. Any tips, videos, or photos that could aid in locating Nancy Guthrie are considered valuable to the investigation.
Sheriff Nanos stressed the importance of community involvement: “We’re asking anyone who may have seen something unusual in the neighborhood during that time to come forward. Every piece of information can help us bring her home safely.”
Savannah Guthrie Breaks Her Silence
In the days following the disappearance, Savannah Guthrie chose to step away from the Today show to focus on her family.
On Monday, February 2, she shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, expressing gratitude for public support and emphasizing the family’s focus on her mother’s safe return.
“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 wrote alongside a photo displaying the words, “Please pray.”
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.”
The statement was widely shared and received messages of support from colleagues, viewers, and public figures, highlighting the broad concern for the Guthrie family.
Community Reaction
Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance has left her neighbors and the broader Tucson area deeply concerned. The Catalina Foothills neighborhood is generally quiet and residential, making the case all the more shocking.
Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and to report any observations or suspicious activity immediately. Community members have also organized informal search efforts and have shared information with law enforcement to aid the investigation.
Challenges of the Terrain
The Catalina Foothills area presents unique challenges for search operations. The neighborhood is located adjacent to desert terrain, which includes:
Dense cactus growth
Scrubby mesquite trees
Rocky, uneven surfaces
Sheriff Nanos noted that these environmental factors add complexity to the search: “It’s desert-y, scrubby mesquite trees and cactus and rocks everywhere,” he said. These conditions make it unlikely that Nancy could have traveled far without assistance, reinforcing suspicions of abduction.
Timeline Recap
January 27: Nancy Guthrie made her last known social media post on Facebook.
January 31, 8:30–9:45 p.m.: Nancy is last seen returning home after dinner with family.
February 1, around noon: Nancy is reported missing when she fails to attend Sunday church services.
February 1–2: Search and rescue operations intensify, and the case is escalated to potential criminal investigation status.
Law Enforcement Statements
Sheriff Nanos has repeatedly emphasized that the case is active and urgent, cautioning against speculation about motives or circumstances not verified by police.
“This is a very concerning situation,” he said. “We are treating this as a potential abduction because of the circumstances and the vulnerability of the individual. We are doing everything in our power to locate Nancy Guthrie safely.”
Broader Media Coverage
The story has received national attention, given Savannah Guthrie’s visibility as a journalist. Media outlets across the country have reported on the search and the investigation, highlighting the involvement of law enforcement, volunteers, and the community.
Coverage has focused on:
The seriousness of Nancy’s health and mobility limitations
The extensive search operation, including aerial drones and K9 units
Statements from Savannah Guthrie and other family members
Efforts by authorities to gather DNA evidence and security footage
Community and Online Support
Social media has seen an outpouring of support for the Guthrie family. Followers of Savannah Guthrie and viewers of the Today show have shared prayers, messages of encouragement, and offers of assistance.
Authorities have stressed that while community support is appreciated, tips should be directed to law enforcement to ensure that information is properly verified and used in the search.
Current Status
As of now, Nancy Guthrie remains missing, and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department continues to treat the case as a high-priority investigation. Search and rescue efforts continue, and authorities have asked the public to remain alert and provide any information that could help locate her.
Sheriff Nanos underscored the urgency: “Every hour counts in cases like this, especially given her health and mobility limitations. Our priority is to bring her home safely.”
Public Contact Information
Anyone with information regarding Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900. Law enforcement requests that only credible information be submitted to avoid misinformation and to assist the ongoing investigation.
Final Thoughts
The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has captured the nation’s attention, both because of the personal connection to a well-known journalist and because of the serious and unusual circumstances surrounding the case.
Authorities are urging patience and public cooperation, emphasizing that sharing verified information can make a real difference in locating Nancy Guthrie and ensuring her safe return.
Our thoughts and prayers remain with Savannah Guthrie, her family, and the entire community as law enforcement continues its search for Nancy Guthrie.
