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(NEXSTAR) – Evidence of a break-in and traces of blood have been discovered at the residence of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie.
Nancy, aged 84, was last observed on Saturday evening at her Tucson, Arizona, home, where she resided solo. Her absence from church on Sunday prompted a concerned parishioner to contact a relative. Subsequently, family members inspected her home before alerting the authorities, as stated by Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos.
On Monday, Sheriff Nanos characterized Guthrie’s residence as “a crime scene,” indicating that she likely hadn’t left voluntarily. He noted that Guthrie faces physical health issues and requires medication, which adds to the urgency of the situation.
Authorities suspect that Guthrie might have been seized during the night, as her phone, wallet, and vehicle remained at her residence, according to an insider familiar with the case who spoke to The Associated Press.
“I believe she was abducted,” Sheriff Nanos shared with NBC News, mentioning that evidence suggests she was harmed at the location, though the full extent of her injuries remains unclear. He later clarified to the Arizona Daily Star that he might have misspoken concerning the details of any harm she may have suffered.
However, blood was said to have been found at Guthrie’s home, law enforcement sources told the Los Angeles Times and CBS News on Tuesday.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department, in an email to Nexstar, said DNA samples had been collected at the scene, but would not confirm the presence of blood evidence.
“Detectives collected DNA samples from the home that have been confirmed to belong to Nancy,” reads a portion of the email. “At this time, the Sheriff has not confirmed whether those samples were blood.”
Sheriff Nanos “does not want to get into specific details about evidence in order to protect the integrity of the investigation,” the email stated.
On Monday morning, Nanos said search crews had been pulled back.
“We don’t see this as a search mission so much as it is a crime scene,” the sheriff said.
Anyone with information about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, including any photos or videos “that may help with this investigation,” is encouraged to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.
Savannah Guthrie calls for prayers: ‘Bring her home’
In a post to Instagram on Monday, Savannah Guthrie called for prayers, asking her followers to “believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment.”
Savannah Guthrie, who has two siblings, was 16 when their father died. Nancy Guthrie raised them on her own. The host often brought her mother on “Today” as a guest.
“She has met unthinkable challenges in her life with grit, without self-pity, with determination and always, always with unshakeable faith,” Savannah said on the show in 2022 on Nancy Guthrie’s 80th birthday.
“She loves us, her family, fiercely, and her selflessness and sacrifice for us, her steadfastness and her unmovable confidence is the reason any of us grew up to do anything.”
Savannah Guthrie was absent from “Today” again on Tuesday. Nanos said she is in Arizona.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.