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Inside the Urgent Search for Nancy Guthrie, the Missing Mother of ‘Today’ Co-Anchor Savannah Guthrie
Authorities in Arizona are continuing to search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, after investigators say she was taken from her Tucson home against her will over the weekend. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said the situation is especially urgent because Guthrie relies on medication and could face life-threatening consequences without it. She was last seen Saturday night at her residence, and officials emphasized the need for the public’s help in providing any information that could assist the investigation.
During a news conference held Tuesday, Sheriff Nanos urged anyone with tips to come forward but shared few new details, explaining that the investigation remains active and sensitive. Authorities have completed their forensic examination of Nancy Guthrie’s home and have since returned the property to her family. Nanos declined to comment on whether the case appears to be random or targeted, and he did not elaborate on the evidence collected inside the home, citing the ongoing nature of the inquiry.
According to a person familiar with the investigation who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, there were clear signs of forced entry at the home. Investigators also reportedly found specific evidence indicating that Nancy Guthrie was kidnapped during the nighttime hours. Despite those findings, officials have remained cautious about releasing further information, focusing instead on building the case and locating Guthrie as quickly as possible.
Nancy Guthrie Reported Missing After Failing to Attend Church
Nancy Guthrie was last seen Saturday night at her home in the Catalina Foothills, an affluent area of Tucson where she lived alone. She was reported missing Sunday after she did not attend church as expected. Sheriff Nanos said someone at the church contacted a family member to report her absence, prompting relatives to search her home. When they were unable to locate her, they contacted authorities by calling 911.
In the initial stages of the response, search efforts included the use of drones and dogs, with assistance from volunteers and the U.S. Border Patrol. However, by Monday morning, those search operations were scaled back. Sheriff Nanos explained the shift in approach by stating, “We don’t see this as a search mission so much as it is a crime scene,” signaling that investigators were treating the disappearance as a criminal matter rather than a missing-person search.
The person familiar with the investigation said several of Guthrie’s personal belongings, including her cellphone, wallet, and car, were still at the home, further supporting the theory that she did not leave voluntarily. Investigators have been reviewing surveillance footage from nearby residences, examining data from license plate cameras in the area, and analyzing information from local cellphone towers. Despite these efforts, the motive behind the abduction remains unclear. Authorities do not believe the incident was connected to a robbery, a typical home invasion, or a kidnapping-for-ransom scheme.
Multiple media outlets reported receiving what were described as purported ransom notes, which they turned over to investigators. The sheriff’s department confirmed it is taking those notes and all other tips seriously but declined to provide additional comment on their contents or relevance. When asked Tuesday whether officials believe Nancy Guthrie is still alive, Sheriff Nanos responded, “we hope we are.” DNA samples have also been collected and submitted for analysis, though Nanos said that while some results have come back, they have not pointed to any suspects.
Savannah Guthrie Asks the Public for Prayers
Savannah Guthrie has remained in Arizona this week and has not appeared at the anchor desk. In a social media post shared late Monday, she asked the public for support, writing, “raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment. Bring her home.” The message reflected both the family’s concern and their hope as the investigation continues.
Savannah Guthrie grew up in Tucson as the youngest of three siblings. Her father died of a heart attack when she was 16 years old. She later graduated from the University of Arizona and worked as a reporter and anchor at KVOA-TV in Tucson before joining “Today” in 2011. She became a co-anchor the following year, a role that has made her a familiar face to millions of viewers nationwide.
Nancy Guthrie’s Role in Holding Her Family Together
Before her disappearance, Nancy Guthrie had occasionally been introduced to viewers through her daughter’s work on television. Savannah Guthrie has publicly credited her mother with holding the family together after the sudden death of her father, describing the period as one of profound adjustment and loss.
“When my dad died, our family just hung onto each other for dear life because it was such a shock. We were just trying to figure out how to become a family of four when we’d always been a family of five,” she said on “Today” in 2017.
Nancy Guthrie also appeared in a story her daughter produced about her hometown late last year. When asked what led the family to settle in Tucson in the 1970s, Nancy Guthrie spoke fondly of the area and its lifestyle. “It’s so wonderful. Just the air, the quality of life,” she said. “It’s laid back and gentle.”
The Search for Nancy Guthrie
As authorities continue to investigate the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, officials have emphasized the urgency of locating her due to her medical needs and the circumstances surrounding her abduction. While many details remain undisclosed, investigators are pursuing all available leads and reviewing evidence as they work to determine what happened and where she may be. Family members, law enforcement, and the wider community continue to hold out hope for her safe return.
