Police in Arizona are searching for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, who went missing from her home near Tucson. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department says investigators believe Guthrie was taken by force and have treated her house as a crime scene.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said authorities do not view this as a dementia-related disappearance. He described Nancy Guthrie as “of great sound mind” and “as sharp as a tack,” but noted she has age-related mobility issues and cannot walk 50 yards unassisted. He also said she takes daily medication that could be fatal if missed for 24 hours.
A call came in around noon Sunday reporting Guthrie missing after family members and later someone from her church realized she was absent. Her family had dropped her off at home around 9:30 or 9:45 p.m. Saturday. Officers who processed the residence found concerning signs that led them to classify the scene as a crime scene. Sheriff Nanos said Guthrie’s wallet, cell phone and vehicle remained at the house.
Investigators are working to establish details such as what she was wearing, whether she was taken in a vehicle and how many people may have been involved. The sheriff noted a security camera from the front of the house is missing and that evidence from the scene — including fingerprints, DNA and camera images — has been submitted to labs. He said DNA testing so far has produced “nothing to indicate any suspects.”
Search efforts have included volunteers, drones, Border Patrol canine units and other airborne assets. As the case has evolved into a suspected abduction, investigators have increasingly relied on electronic leads. The FBI is assisting with analytical and technical support, including downloading and analyzing cellphones, obtaining cell-tower information and conducting interviews.
Nanos urged neighbors to review doorbell and other surveillance footage. He emphasized the importance of technology such as license-plate readers and security cameras in locating Guthrie and said investigators do not believe she “just walked out” of her home.
Authorities have not said whether Guthrie was specifically targeted or whether there is any connection to her daughter’s public profile. President Trump, when asked about the case, called it “a terrible thing” and said he planned to call Savannah Guthrie; he also supported increasing federal agent involvement.
Savannah Guthrie has stepped away from coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina to be with her family. In an Instagram post she asked for prayers, describing her mother as “a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant,” and wrote, “raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment.” She added, “we need you.”
Nancy Guthrie lives alone in the Catalina Foothills north of downtown Tucson. Her children are Annie, Charles Camron and Savannah; her husband, Charles, died in 1988. Sheriff Nanos said Savannah “has been in touch with us” and stressed investigators’ condolences: “Our hearts go out to them. This is their mom.” Authorities continue to seek any tips or information from the public that could help locate her.