The alarming disappearance of Savannah Guthrie's mother has raised serious concerns, as authorities are actively searching for the 84-year-old woman who they believe was taken from her Tucson, Arizona home against her will over the weekend. With fears for her health due to a lack of necessary medication, sheriff Chris Nanos emphasized the urgency of locating Nancy Guthrie, who was last seen on Saturday evening.
In a press briefing held on Tuesday, Sheriff Nanos pleaded with the public to provide any information that could aid in the investigation, although he did not disclose many new developments. He mentioned that investigators had completed their examination of Nancy’s residence and returned it to the family. When pressed about whether her abduction appeared to be random or targeted, Nanos refrained from sharing specifics, stating that no suspects or persons of interest have been identified at this time.
According to an individual familiar with the ongoing investigation—who spoke to The Associated Press under the condition of anonymity—there were indications of forced entry at Nancy Guthrie’s home. This source also noted that evidence suggesting a nighttime kidnapping was uncovered during their search.
Here’s what you need to know about this troubling case:
Nancy Guthrie was reported missing after she failed to attend church services. She lived alone in an affluent area known as Catalina Foothills, and when family members were informed by someone from the church that Nancy was absent, they rushed to her home only to call 911 after discovering her whereabouts were unknown.
Initially, search efforts included the use of drones and search dogs, with assistance from volunteers and Border Patrol agents. However, by Monday morning, Sheriff Nanos indicated that the approach had shifted; they no longer viewed it strictly as a search operation but as a potential crime scene.
The AP has utilized anonymous sources to provide insights into this story, which you can learn more about through their policy guidelines.
Significantly, there were signs of forced entry at Nancy's residence, with several of her personal belongings—including her cellphone, wallet, and vehicle—remaining inside. Investigators are currently analyzing surveillance footage from neighboring properties, reviewing data from local license plate cameras, and examining cellphone tower activity to piece together the events leading up to her disappearance.
As for the motive behind this incident, it remains unclear. Early reports suggest that investigators do not believe Nancy's abduction is linked to robbery, home invasion, or a ransom scheme. On a related note, several media outlets have recently reported receiving documents that appear to be ransom notes, which they promptly forwarded to law enforcement. While the sheriff’s department is taking these notes seriously, they have not provided further details.
When asked about the likelihood of finding Nancy alive, Sheriff Nanos expressed cautious optimism by stating, "We hope we are."
DNA samples have been collected and sent for analysis as part of the ongoing investigation. Sheriff Nanos noted that while some results have come back, none have pointed to any suspects.
In the midst of this distressing situation, Savannah Guthrie has remained in Arizona and has not been present on the anchor desk. She took to social media late Monday to ask her supporters to join her in prayer, hoping for her mother's safe return.
Having grown up in Tucson as the youngest of three siblings, Savannah experienced personal loss at the age of 16 when her father passed away from a heart attack. She later graduated from the University of Arizona and began her career as a reporter and anchor at KVOA-TV in Tucson before joining the "Today" show in 2011, becoming co-anchor the following year.
Viewers have come to know Nancy Guthrie through her daughter’s television appearances, with Savannah often crediting her mother for keeping the family united after the death of her husband. In a heartfelt moment on "Today" back in 2017, Savannah reflected on how the family leaned on each other during such a shocking time, trying to adapt to their new reality as a family of four instead of five.
During a recent feature about her hometown, Savannah asked her mother what made them choose to settle in Tucson in the 1970s, to which Nancy fondly replied, "It’s so wonderful. Just the air, the quality of life. It’s laid back and gentle."
