The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, is now being treated as a likely abduction that occurred while she slept. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said Monday that Nancy “did not leave on her own” and did not “go willingly” from her million-dollar rural home in the Catalina Foothills near Tucson, Arizona, where investigators have identified what he described as a “very concerning” crime scene.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen around 9:45 p.m. Saturday, when one of her children dropped her off at the residence. Concern arose Sunday morning after she failed to appear at church, prompting a family member to check on her absence and alert other relatives. Police were contacted later Sunday morning. At a press conference, Sheriff Nanos said authorities now believe “we do, in fact, have a crime scene” and “a crime,” marking a shift in the investigation’s focus.
Nanos emphasized that Nancy was “of great sound mind” and “sharp as a tack,” firmly ruling out dementia or wandering as possible explanations. “This is not a dementia-related [case],” he said, adding that the family wanted the public to understand she “didn’t just wander off.” While acknowledging her age-related physical limits, he stressed that they would not explain her disappearance.
Investigators are racing against time, Nanos said, because Nancy requires daily medication to survive. Without it for 24 hours, the consequences could be fatal. Key personal items, including her life-saving medicine, were left behind at the home, deepening concerns. Cameras were present on the property, and authorities are reviewing security footage and Nancy’s cell phone for clues. Residents in the area with Ring cameras or other surveillance systems have been urged to check recordings from Saturday night.
Savannah Guthrie, who is currently in the Tucson area with her siblings, did not appear on Monday’s Today show. In a family statement, she said, “On behalf of our 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.” She thanked law enforcement for their efforts and urged anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at (520) 351-4900.
Sheriff Nanos confirmed investigators have spoken with Savannah Guthrie and her security team but said there have been no specific threats identified against her. Still, authorities are not ruling out any possibilities. The case has now shifted from a missing-person search to a full criminal investigation, with a desperate race underway to locate Nancy Guthrie and ensure her safety.
