Police are currently looking into the disappearance of the mother of Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie as a potential criminal case following a troubling discovery at her residence.
Nancy Guthrie, aged 84, was last spotted around 9:30 pm on Saturday near her home in the Catalina Foothills area, just north of Tucson, Arizona. A family member reached out to the authorities on Sunday afternoon to report her missing, and she has not been seen since.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos mentioned that a “crime scene” has been established, and law enforcement is seeking assistance from the public to gather any relevant information to aid in locating her.
Investigators uncovered a distressing scene at the property, leading to the dispatch of homicide detectives to Ms. Guthrie’s residence, a step not typically taken in missing person cases.
Savannah Guthrie expressed her deep affection for her mother in an Instagram post on Nancy’s 78th birthday, emphasizing her mother’s significance in her life.
Authorities in Arizona have stated that Nancy’s limited mobility makes it unlikely that she left voluntarily. They have also highlighted other evidence at the scene indicating that she did not depart on her own accord.
Nancy is classified as a “vulnerable adult” due to her age, although no cognitive impairments are known. Investigators are keeping all possibilities open, including the potential for foul play.
In response to her mother’s disappearance, Savannah Guthrie is withdrawing from hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony for NBC. Her presence at the event in Italy is now uncertain, as per reports from Page Six.
Savannah Guthrie is recognized for her roles as a journalist and former lawyer, most notably as a co-anchor on NBC News’ Today show. She previously served as a White House correspondent for NBC News before joining Today in 2012.
Family sources have described Savannah and her mother Nancy as exceptionally close, akin to best friends, with Savannah often sharing moments spent with her mother on social media.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has dedicated substantial resources to the search for Nancy Guthrie, involving volunteers and other agencies in relentless search efforts.
The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has been elevated to a criminal investigation by the authorities, with concerns raised about her daily medication needs for survival. Nancy is described as 5ft5 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen at her home between 9:30 pm and 9:45 pm on Saturday.
The situation is personal for the Today show team, as reflected in an update shared by co-anchor Craig Melvin, who emphasized the importance of Nancy’s safe return.
Savannah Guthrie conveyed gratitude for the support received and urged anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
In light of Nancy’s dependency on daily medication for survival, law enforcement officials underscore the critical nature of her circumstances. Despite physical health challenges, Nancy is described as mentally sharp by Sheriff Nanos.
Concerns for Savannah Guthrie’s safety have been raised, with law enforcement officials assuring that they are actively investigating her mother’s disappearance as a potential crime.
Efforts continue to locate Nancy Guthrie, with the involvement of various search resources such as drones, aircraft, and search-and-rescue dogs, alongside volunteer support.
The Guthrie family has affirmed their collaboration with local law enforcement in addressing the missing person’s case, seeking the safe return of Nancy Guthrie.