Nancy Guthrie, mother of beloved TODAY anchor Savannah Guthrie, has gone missing.
UPDATE (2/2/26 @ 7:30 p.m. EST):
A spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department told Fox News Digital that Sheriff Chris Nanos believes a crime has been committed.
“At this point, investigators believe she was taken from the home against her will, and that includes possible kidnapping or abduction,” the unnamed spokesperson said.
Sheriff Nanos reportedly told NBC News that evidence suggests that Nancy Guthrie was harmed when she was being taken. He also believes she was abducted in the middle of the night while she slept.
UPDATE (2/2/26 @ 12:30 p.m. EST):
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos shared an update on the search for Nancy Guthrie during a press conference on Monday morning. He told press that search and rescue teams have worked tirelessly through the night “to no avail.”
He reiterated that there were some things they found at Guthrie’s home that cause them great concern, and they are now calling it an active crime scene.
“We’re asking for the community’s help,” Nanos said. “So, we make a plea to anyone who knows anything about it. Who has seen something, heard something, to contact us, to call 911. We don’t need another bad, tragic ending. We need some help.”
While answering questions from members of the press, Nanos shared that Nancy Guthrie’s absence from church on Sunday morning prompted a concerned friend to reach out to one of Guthrie’s adult children. That child went to Nancy’s home to check on her and “did some searching and realized” they needed some help. They then called 911.
“Nancy did not leave on her own, we know that,” Nanos said. “Right now, we don’t see this as much as a search mission as we do a crime scene.”
Authorities continue to decline to share details based on it being an active investigation, but they did say that “there were circumstances on scene that we believe are suspicious in nature.”
ORIGINAL STORY:
According to Phoenix, Arizona’s News12, Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home in the Catalina Foothills. The 84-year-old was last seen on Saturday night around 9:30, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department told the outlet.
A family member called authorities midday Sunday to report Nancy missing, according to TMZ.
At a press conference held Sunday night, Sheriff Chris Nanos said the situation is “very concerning.” When asked to specify, the sheriff said that what they found at the home caused “grave concern,” but he declined to share details.
Nanos added that search-and-rescue teams are looking for Guthrie, and homicide detectives are investigating the scene. They aren’t ruling out foul play, but are hoping for a positive outcome.
Guthrie’s family told authorities that she is of sound mind, but has some physical limitations consistent with her age that affect her ability to “move around.”
In addition to the Sheriff’s Department and Homicide Investigators, helicopters, search dogs, and volunteers with drones are also helping with the search.
Savannah Guthrie issued a statement regarding her mother’s disappearance.
In the opening segment of Monday’s TODAY broadcast, a statement issued by Savannah Guthrie was shared. The statement read:
“Oh 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.”
Savannah did not appear on the TODAY Show amid the search for her mother.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY. UPDATES WILL BE POSTED HERE AS NEW INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE.
About Savannah Guthrie
Savannah Guthrie has co-hosted NBC’s morning show, TODAY, since 2012. She spoke about her mom on many occasions through social media and on the air.
In 2020, Guthrie shared a birthday message for Nancy, saying, “My mom Nancy is my heart and my everything and my model for what a mother should be. Thank you, God, for her 78 beautiful years!”
