The search for Savannah Guthrie’s mother has taken a chilling turn. After Nancy Guthrie vanished from her home, the Pima County Sheriff has officially declared it a “race against time” as the window for her safe return rapidly shrinks. With life-threatening medical needs and a crime scene under investigation, the “Today” show family is pleading for the public’s help. WATCH the urgent update on the abduction that has stunned the nation.
Authorities express grave concern as the 84-year-old’s disappearance is upgraded to a criminal investigation with no substantial clues.
NEED TO KNOW
- Officials voiced apprehension that time could be dwindling for Nancy Guthrie as they search for the missing mother of three.
- Nancy, the 84-year-old mother of broadcast journalist Savannah Guthrie, was last seen at her Arizona residence on Saturday, Jan. 31.
- The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has designated the home as a crime scene, citing what officials described as “very concerning” conditions.
Authorities are concerned that time could be exhausted for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Savannah Guthrie, who has now been missing for more than 48 hours. “It is a race against time, and I hope that window hasn’t closed,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told NBC’s Liz Kreutz in a new interview for the Today show aired on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
Authorities in Arizona are investigating the disappearance of the mother of three after she was reported missing by family over the weekend. Police are still petitioning the community for assistance as they currently have no substantial clues. Sheriff Nanos said that authorities currently believe Nancy was “abducted,” defining the term as: “When you’re removed from your sleeping quarters and you don’t desire to go somewhere, that’s an abduction”.
The Pima County Sheriff Department later explained to NBC News that Nanos intended his phrasing figuratively, adding that he “did not mean that she was literally snatched from her mattress“.
A Concerning Crime Scene
Nancy was last seen around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31 at her home near East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department later labeled the home as a crime scene, citing what officials described as “very concerning” conditions. Nanos told NBC, “We took some samples that we hope would have a DNA profile that gives us some identification as to what we’re looking at”.
Sheriff Nanos previously told reporters that Nancy has “no neurological impairments” and is “very perceptive, she’s of good, rational intellect”. However, Nanos also observed that Nancy is “not in optimal physical condition”. According to the sheriff, Nancy also depends on medication that could become life-threatening if she goes without it for more than 24 hours.
On Monday, Feb. 2, the sheriff told reporters that investigators believe a crime occurred, describing the case as more of a “crime scene” than a “search mission,” and saying authorities want the public’s help. As part of the investigation, authorities are examining monitoring clips and license plate readers, along with coordinating searches. “We know she didn’t just walk out of there,” Nanos said at a press conference.
Support from the Today Show
Savannah, 54, did not appear on the Today show on Feb. 2 or 3, as she is currently with her family in Arizona amidst the investigation. On Monday night, the journalist took to Instagram beseeching her followers to “please pray”. On Tuesday, co-host Carson Daly shared, “I hit my knees and prayed and I don’t think I’ve ever prayed for anything harder in my life”.
Craig Melvin implored the public, saying, “Again, we know someone out there knows something. Call”. Savannah released a statement to the Today show, which her colleagues read during the broadcast: “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”.
The sheriff affirmed that the Guthrie family has been fully cooperative throughout the investigation and that the FBI is also assisting. The PCSD describes Nancy as a female with brown hair and blue eyes. She is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs around 150 lbs.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.
