Nancy Guthrie: Mom of 'Today' show host Savannah Guthrie may have been 'taken against her will'
Nancy Guthrie's disappearance: Investigators believe she could've been taken against her will
Arizona investigators are saying Nancy Guthrie, the mother of 'Today' show host Savannah Guthrie, may have been taken from her home against her will, possibly in the middle of the night. FOX 10's Steve Nielsen has the latest on their search efforts and what neighbors are saying.
CATALINA FOOTHILLS, Ariz. - The mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie has been reported missing in southern Arizona, and authorities say they believe she was taken from her home against her will.
What we know:
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen on the evening of Jan. 31 at her home near East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue outside of Tucson, the Pima County Sheriff's Department said. She was reported missing the following day after her family members were notified that she hadn't shown up for church.
"Family went to her residence in Tucson, AZ and Nancy was not in the home," the Arizona Department of Public Safety said in a statement. "All her personal belongings, to include her wallet, cell phone and vehicle were still there, but she was nowhere to be found."
It's unknown what clothing Guthrie was wearing. She's described as being 5'5", weighing 150 pounds, and has brown hair and blue eyes.
‘Taken against her will’
"Sheriff Nanos has stated that he believes a crime has been committed. At this point, investigators believe she was taken from the home against her will, possibly in the middle of the night. Taken against her will includes possible kidnapping or abduction," the sheriff's department said on Feb. 2.
‘We do in fact have a crime’
Latest on disappearance of 'Today' host's mother
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos spoke at a news conference on Feb. 2 to discuss the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of "Today" host Savannah Guthrie. "We do in fact have a crime scene, we do in fact have a crime," Nanos said.
What they're saying:
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said during a Sunday news conference that "concerning circumstances were found," which has led to homicide detectives investigating the case.
"Everything we've had, we've thrown at this. They're gonna step aside. We'll call them out again if we need to, to do more searching. But right now, we don't see this as a search mission as much as we do a crime scene."
On Monday morning, the search was paused, but by the afternoon, deputies in backpacks entered the brush area around the Catalina Foothills home while a helicopter circled.
"It's not standard. Typically, our homicide team comes out when we have a homicide, a body," he said.
Mother of 'Today' show host missing near Tucson
The mother of a national television host has been reported missing in southern Arizona. Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her Catalina Foothills home on Jan. 31. Nancy is the mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie. FOX 10's Irene Snyder reports.
In an update on Monday, Sheriff Nanos said there is evidence of a crime. The thick brush is creating a challenge for search and rescue teams in the Desert Foothills, located northeast of Tucson.
"We do in fact have a crime scene, we do in fact have a crime," he said.
Guthrie is not known to have any illnesses or cognitive issues, but authorities are concerned about her physical health, due to limited mobility. Nanos said that she lives alone and does not have her medication that she needs daily.
"She is very limited in her mobility. Right? We know she didn't just walk out of there," the sheriff said. "That is, that we know. There are other things at the sign, at the scene that indicate she did not leave on her own. We know that."
Neighbors told FOX 10 that deputies went door-to-door, describing the scene as shocking.
"Talked to people, asked to see Ring videos, gone through backyards, asked if we’ve seen anything," neighbor Jeff Lamie said.
"I think what needs to happen is for there to be some resolution. I just hope that it’s more favorable than it appears to be," neighbor Lisa McIntire said.
Dig deeper:
Guthrie is the mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie.
"On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support," Savannah Guthrie wrote in a statement. "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."
Savannah Guthrie and mother Nancy Guthrie on Thursday, June 15, 2023. (Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images)
What's next:
The sheriff's department has enlisted the help of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the search, and the FBI is aware of the investigation.
Search and rescue teams combed the area of Guthrie's home by air and ground during the overnight hours. They are reviewing surveillance video at the home.
What you can do:
Anyone with information on Guthrie's whereabouts should dial 911 or submit tips here.
Map of area where Guthrie was last seen
The Source: Information for this story was gathered from the Pima County Sheriff's Department, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and a statement from Savannah Guthrie that was posted to the "Today" show's website on Feb. 2, 2026.