Quick Read
- Nancy Guthrie, 84, mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, is believed to have been abducted from her Arizona home.
- Investigators confirmed signs of forced entry and specific evidence of a nighttime kidnapping.
- Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos declared the home a “crime scene” and emphasized Guthrie’s critical need for daily medication.
- Savannah Guthrie appealed for prayers for her mother’s safe return.
- Motive remains unknown; investigators do not believe it was a robbery or ransom plot.
TUCSON, Ariz. (Azat TV) – Investigators have confirmed signs of forced entry at the Arizona home of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, who is believed to have been taken against her will. The discovery has escalated the search from a missing person alert to an active criminal abduction investigation, with authorities expressing grave concerns for her safety due to her critical need for daily medication.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos urged the public to provide tips, emphasizing the urgency of finding Nancy Guthrie, who was last seen Saturday night at her home in the affluent Catalina Foothills area outside Tucson. Her family reported her missing on Sunday after she failed to appear at church, leading to the discovery of the unsettling scene at her residence.
Investigation Reveals Signs of Forced Entry and Abduction
Law enforcement officials have revealed that specific evidence found at the scene indicates a nighttime kidnapping. A person familiar with the investigation, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to not being authorized to discuss details publicly, confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday that signs of forced entry were evident at Nancy Guthrie’s home. Several of her personal items, including her cellphone, wallet, and car, were left behind, further supporting the theory that she did not leave voluntarily.
Sheriff Nanos stated that the case is no longer considered a search mission but a “crime scene.” He noted that investigators “saw some things at the home that were concerning to us” and that they believe she was harmed when she was taken, though he later refused to confirm or deny the extent of any harm, stating he “misspoke or something” in an earlier interview with the Arizona Daily Star. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department clarified that his earlier statement about her being “abducted” was figurative, not implying she was literally taken from her bed.
Critical Health Concerns for Nancy Guthrie
The urgency of the situation is heightened by Nancy Guthrie’s health condition. Sheriff Nanos stressed that she requires daily medication, without which her condition “can become fatal.” He noted that more than 24 hours had passed since her disappearance by Monday, making her immediate return vital. Despite her limited mobility, officials confirmed that Nancy Guthrie is “of sound mind” and has no cognitive issues, ruling out dementia as a factor in her disappearance.
Initial search-and-rescue efforts involved trained personnel, drones, an airplane, a helicopter, volunteers, and search-and-rescue dogs lent by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. However, these crews were pulled back on Monday morning as the focus shifted to a criminal investigation, with the homicide team also becoming involved, according to Sheriff Nanos.
Savannah Guthrie’s Appeal and Community Support
“Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, who is currently in Arizona, has made heartfelt appeals for her mother’s safe return. In a social media post late Monday, she described her mother as “a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant” and asked supporters to “raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment. Bring her home.” She also shared a verse from Isaiah: “He will keep in perfect peace those whose hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”
The “Today” show has opened its broadcasts with updates on Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, with co-anchor Craig Melvin calling it a “deeply personal story for us.” The community in Tucson, where Savannah Guthrie grew up and started her journalism career, has also expressed deep concern. Sheriff Nanos acknowledged the emotional toll, stating, “This is just really sad for our community. Savannah is family to us. She’s a big part of this community. Her family is devastated, the entire family. And you know, this just doesn’t happen in Tucson.”
Investigators are actively reviewing surveillance video from nearby homes and analyzing data from cellphone towers and license plate cameras in the area. The motive for the abduction remains unknown, with investigators currently not believing it to be part of a robbery, home invasion, or kidnapping-for-ransom plot. A nonprofit group, 88-Crime, which collaborates with law enforcement in southern Arizona, has offered a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest of those involved in Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. The FBI is aware of the case and is involved.
The shift from a missing person case to a confirmed criminal abduction underscores the severe and immediate threat to Nancy Guthrie’s life, given her age and critical medical needs, transforming a personal tragedy into a high-stakes public safety investigation.