Savannah Guthrie’s Missing Mother Was Likely Abducted in Her Sleep, Authorities Say
Nancy Guthrie, whose three kids include the ‘Today’ show host, was last seen in the Catalina Foothills area of Arizona on Saturday night.
Nancy Guthrie, the octogenarian mother of Today host Savannah Guthrie, was possibly abducted in her sleep, an Arizona sheriff said on Monday after confirming that she is missing and that her home is being treated as a crime scene.
The 84-year-old grandmother and mother of three adult children disappeared from her home in Tucson over the weekend, authorities said at a Monday morning press conference. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department that they believe Guthrie may have been abducted or kidnapped. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told CBS News on Monday that he believes Nancy was taken from her home as she slept.
“I believe she was abducted, yes,” Nanos told the network news outlet. “She didn’t walk from there. She didn’t go willingly.”
Earlier on Monday at a press conference, Nanos said that inside the home, investigators saw things that were “concerning.”
“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.
“We believe now, after we’ve processed that crime scene, that we do in fact have a crime scene, that we do in fact have a crime, and we’re asking the community’s help,” he told members of the press.
Sheriff Nanos told local station KOLD that a family member reported her missing around noon on Sunday. Nanos added that there is an element of urgency in the hunt to find Guthrie, as she is without important daily medications that could cause serious health risks, including death.
“Nancy Guthrie is of a great, sound mind. This is not dementia-related. She is sharp as a tack. The family wants everybody to know this,” Nanos told the gathered press.
He said that the investigation has full cooperation from the Guthrie family.
Savannah Guthrie was absent from Monday morning’s Today show as the search for her mother intensified, according to a statement attributed to her family.
“I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support. Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom. We thank law enforcement for their hard work on this case and encourage anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at (520) 351-4900,” she said in a statement on behalf of the family.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen in the Catalina Foothills area on Saturday night at approximately 9:45 p.m. Nanos declined to discuss a possible time she may have left the family home, especially as she has mobility issues. “She couldn’t walk 50 yards by herself,” he said.
Homicide teams were present working alongside detectives at the crime scene, Nanos added, while noting that it’s an unusual move for a missing person case.
“We need her back. We need to find her and the time is very critical. She’s 84, and she needs her meds. Her family needs her, too,” he insisted.
Nancy Guthrie is 5-foot-5 and 150 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes, and is described as having some physical ailments. Nancy Guthrie has appeared as a guest on Today in the past. In 2023, Savannah Guthrie spoke about her mom in a feature titled “Lessons Learned From Moms” and also paid tribute to her on the show on her 80th birthday in 2022.
