Share and Follow
The investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, has taken a serious turn. Authorities in Arizona are treating the case as a potential crime, based on evidence found at her residence, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos announced on Monday.
During a press briefing, Sheriff Nanos revealed that certain indicators at Nancy Guthrie’s home suggest she did not leave voluntarily. “We’re calling on the community to provide any information that could help us,” he urged.
When pressed for details on why officials suspect foul play, Nanos mentioned Nancy Guthrie’s limited mobility, hinting at other unspecified factors that suggest she might not have left on her own. However, he refrained from disclosing further details.
Nancy Guthrie, who lived alone, is described by the sheriff as being in full possession of her mental faculties. “This is not a case of dementia. She is very sharp, and the family wants to make it clear that she didn’t simply wander off,” Nanos emphasized, adding that she requires daily medication.
The sheriff said Nancy Guthrie, who lived alone, was of sound mind. “This is not dementia related. She’s as sharp as a tack. The family wants everyone to know that this isn’t someone who just wandered off,” Nanos said. He said she needs her daily medication.
Nanos said at a news conference Sunday night that Nancy Guthrie was last seen around 9:30 p.m. Saturday at her home in the Tucson area. Her family reported her missing around noon Sunday.
Nanos said a family member received a call from someone at church saying Nancy Guthrie wasn’t there, leading family to search for her at her home and then calling 911.
Searchers were using drones and search dogs to look for Nancy Guthrie, Nanos said. Search and rescue teams were supported by volunteers and Border Patrol and the homicide team was also involved, he said. It is not standard for the homicide team to get involved in such cases, Nanos said.
“This one stood out because of what was described to us at the scene and what we located just looking at the scene,” Nanos said Sunday. He was not ruling out foul play.
On Monday morning, Nanos said search crews worked hard but have since been pulled back. “We don’t see this as a search mission so much as it is a crime scene,” the sheriff said. Savannah Guthrie issued a statement on Monday, NBC’s “Today” show reported.
“On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support,” she said. “Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear Nancy.”
“Today” opened Monday’s show with the disappearance of the co-anchor’s mother, but Savannah Guthrie was not at the anchor’s desk. Nanos said during the Monday news conference that Savannah Guthrie is in Arizona. Savannah Guthrie grew up in Tucson and graduated from the University of Arizona.
Nancy Guthrie appeared in a November 2025 story her daughter did about her hometown. Over a meal, Savannah asked her mother what made the family want to plant roots in Tucson in the 1970s.
“It’s so wonderful. Just the air, the quality of life,” Nancy said. “It’s laid back and gentle.”
She said she likes to see the javelinas, pig-like desert mammals, eat her plants.