Police are releasing new details about the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of TV anchor Savannah Guthrie, who was reported missing over the weekend.
Nancy was last seen at her home in Catalina Foothills, north of Tucson, Arizona, around 9:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, Jan. 31. Two days later, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said the case is now being handled as a potential criminal investigation, describing the residence as a “crime scene” rather than a “search mission.”
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said in a statement Monday, Feb. 2, 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,” Nanos said. “Taken against her will includes possible kidnapping or abduction.”
Nanos also said investigators do not believe Nancy left the home on her own. “We have an 84-year-old woman who went to bed Saturday night and come Sunday morning, she’s gone,” he said. “We know, at least we believe, and I believe we know, she did not walk out of that home on her own.”
He added that Nancy’s mobility was limited and that it is unlikely she wandered away. He also described her as mentally sharp, making the circumstances even more alarming. “Somebody came into that home, and I believe took her out there without her permission,” he said. “It was against her will.”
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Investigators are working to obtain and review home security footage, Nanos said, noting that police are coordinating with vendors to download video. He also said detectives collected what he described as biological DNA-type evidence, which is being submitted for rapid testing.
Nanos thanked members of the public who want to assist, but emphasized the need to protect the integrity of the investigation.
In a press conference earlier Monday, the sheriff said the disappearance was reported on Sunday, Feb. 1, after a friend noticed Nancy was not at church and alerted one of her adult children.
Savannah Guthrie, 54, was absent from Today on Monday. During the broadcast, co-anchor Craig Melvin said, “We want to get right to what is a deeply personal story for us — Nancy Guthrie, Savannah’s beloved mother, has been reported missing in Arizona.”
In a statement shared on the show, Savannah 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. 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.”
