The family of Today Show co-host Savannah Guthrie has been plunged into crisis following the mysterious disappearance of her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, from her Tucson home on Saturday night. Authorities in Arizona are now investigating the case as a potential abduction, with the Pima County Sheriff's Department confirming the elderly woman vanished under highly suspicious circumstances.
Last Known Movements Before Vanishing
Just hours before she was reported missing, Nancy Guthrie had enjoyed a pleasant dinner with her daughter Annie in Tucson's affluent Catalina Foothills neighborhood. The evening included playing mahjong, a popular four-player tile game that Nancy had posted about on social media earlier in January. According to family accounts, she returned to her $1 million home around 9:45pm that Saturday evening.
Annie Guthrie, who has previously described her mother as "our bright north star," told investigators she noticed no concerning behavior or "red flags" during their final dinner together. The family's normalcy was shattered when a congregant from the Guthrie's local church contacted family members on Sunday morning to report Nancy's absence from services.
Family's Immediate Response and Search Efforts
Upon receiving the concerning call, family members rushed to Nancy's home and conducted their own search before officially reporting her missing to authorities around noon on Sunday. The Pima County Sheriff's Department immediately launched an extensive search operation that included police canines, drones, and even the department's surveillance plane scouring the neighborhood and surrounding areas.
By Monday morning, Sheriff Chris Nanos announced that the search had been "shut down" as the investigation shifted focus. "She is very limited in her mobility. She did not just walk out of there," Nanos stated during a press conference, revealing crucial evidence that suggested Nancy did not leave voluntarily.
Compelling Evidence Points to Foul Play
Investigators discovered that Nancy Guthrie left behind several essential items that she would typically never abandon. Her daily medication, which family members confirm she needs for survival, remained at the house alongside her phone, wallet, and vehicle. These discoveries, combined with other undisclosed "things at the scene," led authorities to treat the disappearance as a criminal investigation rather than a missing persons case.
Sheriff Nanos addressed speculation about whether Nancy might have been targeted because of her famous daughter's profile. "We're not going to dismiss any angles for sure, but right now, immediately we don't know of anything like that," he stated, while reassuring the public that there appeared to be no broader danger to the community.
Family History and Emotional Backstory
The Guthrie family has previously endured significant tragedy, with Savannah's father Charles dying suddenly from a heart attack when she was just sixteen years old. Savannah has spoken publicly about how this loss "cracked open" their family, and how their mother Nancy became the stabilizing force that held them together through their grief.
In a 2017 interview on the Today Show, Annie Guthrie reflected on their mother's strength, saying, "I feel like my mom did such a unique and amazing job to create this foundation for us." Savannah echoed these sentiments in a 2023 interview, describing her mother as "like hard, iron, granite strong" and crediting her with setting aside her own grief to ensure the family could move forward together after their father's death.
Neighborhood Reaction and Community Impact
The disappearance has sent shockwaves through the normally tranquil Catalina Foothills neighborhood, where residents described the area as exceptionally safe and quiet. Neighbor Jeff Lamie told local media, "It's a very safe neighborhood. This is highly unusual, and we are very concerned about her."
Another resident, who requested anonymity, described the unusual police presence on Sunday night, with officers driving up and down streets with flashing lights and a helicopter circling overhead—a stark contrast to the community's typical atmosphere of morning walks, cycling, and friendly greetings between neighbors.
Today Show Colleagues React Emotionally
On Monday's broadcast, Savannah Guthrie's co-hosts addressed the situation with visible emotion. Jenna Bush Hager, who knows Nancy personally, spoke through tears as she shared crucial information: "I know her personally. And we want to just report, too, that she takes daily medication and she needs them for survival. She's without her medication."
Co-host Craig Melvin conveyed how personally the team was taking the news, telling viewers, "This is very concerning to us. We don't typically get involved at a scene like this, but it's very concerning." Both Nancy and Annie have appeared on the Today Show previously, where the sisters often spoke lovingly about their mother's influence and support.
Savannah Guthrie's Response and Career Impact
Savannah Guthrie has returned to Tucson to be with her family during the investigation and was notably absent from Monday's Today Show broadcast. She issued a statement expressing gratitude for the public's support while emphasizing the family's primary focus: "Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom. We thank law enforcement for their hard work on this case."
The host is now expected to withdraw from her scheduled co-hosting assignment for the Winter Olympics coverage this Friday as the family crisis continues. Investigators have spoken with staff who work at Nancy's house as part of their ongoing investigation, while the family and law enforcement encourage anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff's Department.
