Today Show co-host Savannah Guthrie has issued a heartfelt public appeal for support and prayers as the search continues for her elderly mother, Nancy Guthrie, who vanished from her Arizona home under mysterious circumstances. The 84-year-old's disappearance is now being treated as a potential abduction by law enforcement authorities.
Desperate Search Enters Critical Phase
The frantic search for Nancy Guthrie entered its third consecutive day on Tuesday, with Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirming that investigators now believe the elderly woman did not leave her $1 million Tucson home voluntarily. "We believe in prayer. We believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope," Savannah wrote in an emotional Instagram post that has drawn widespread attention and support from both fans and fellow celebrities.
Concerning Circumstances Surround Disappearance
Nancy Guthrie was last seen around 9:45pm on Saturday in the affluent Catalina Foothills neighborhood of Tucson. The devout mother-of-three was reported missing on Sunday morning after she failed to appear for her regular church service, prompting immediate concern from family members and local authorities.
Sheriff Nanos revealed several troubling details during a Monday news conference that shifted the investigation's focus. "She is very limited in her mobility. She did not just walk out of there," he stated, adding that "there are other things at the scene that indicate she did not leave on her own."
Critical Evidence Points to Foul Play
Investigators discovered that Nancy left behind several essential items that she would typically take with her, including her mobile phone, wallet, and vehicle. Most concerningly, authorities confirmed she departed without vital medication that she requires for survival, heightening concerns about her wellbeing.
The search operation initially involved extensive resources including police canines, drone deployments, and even the Pima County Sheriff's Department plane scouring the area. However, by Monday, Sheriff Nanos announced that traditional search efforts were being "shut down" as the investigation transitioned to a criminal inquiry.
Celebrity Support and Family Anguish
Savannah Guthrie's public appeal has generated an outpouring of support from fellow celebrities and media personalities. Comedian Amy Schumer and actress Alyssa Milano both stated they are "praying hard" for Nancy's safe return, while Bravo star Andy Cohen shared his "love and prayers." Actor Josh Gad added: "You have nothing but prayers in this household. I am truly sorry that this is happening."
NBC Colleagues Express Solidarity
Several of Guthrie's current and former NBC colleagues have publicly expressed their support during this difficult time. Former Today Show co-host Hoda Kotb said she has her "non stop prayers," while MSNBC host Nicole Wallace stated she is "holding you and your entire family so close."
Jenna Bush Hager, who knows Nancy personally, spoke through tears while addressing the situation on air, emphasizing the urgency of the medical situation: "She takes daily medication and she needs them for survival. She's without her medication."
Family Bonds and Recent Activities
Just hours before her disappearance, Nancy had enjoyed a dinner with her eldest daughter, Annie, followed by an evening playing mahjong. Annie, who once described her mother as "our bright north star," told investigators she noticed no "red flags" about her mother's behavior during their time together.
Savannah has frequently spoken about her mother's profound influence on her life, describing her in a 2023 interview as "like hard, iron, granite strong" following the sudden loss of Savannah's father during her childhood. "My mom was so strong and set aside her own grief in many ways just to be there and make sure we could all move forward together," she recalled of that difficult period.
Neighborhood Shock and Community Concern
The disappearance has sent shockwaves through the normally tranquil Catalina Foothills community, where residents describe the area as exceptionally safe and peaceful. "It's a very safe neighborhood. This is highly unusual, and we are very concerned about her," neighbor Jeff Lamie told local media.
Another resident, who requested anonymity, described the extensive police presence on Sunday as "very unusual," recalling officers driving through the neighborhood with flashing lights throughout the night while a helicopter circled overhead. The scene contrasted sharply with the community's typical atmosphere of morning dog walks and friendly greetings between neighbors.
Investigation Developments and Family Focus
Authorities have not ruled out any potential motives, including whether Nancy may have been targeted because of her daughter's celebrity status. "We're not going to dismiss any angles for sure, but right now, immediately we don't know of anything like that," Sheriff Nanos stated, while reassuring the public that there appears to be no broader danger to community safety.
Savannah Guthrie has temporarily stepped away from her professional commitments, including her scheduled co-hosting assignment for the Winter Olympics coverage, to return to Tucson and focus on her family during this crisis. In a statement, she expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support while emphasizing the family's primary concern: "Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom."
The Today Show team has conveyed how personally the situation has affected them, with host Craig Melvin 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 her daughter Annie have made regular appearances on the program over the years, where they have spoken lovingly about their family bonds and shared personal stories with the audience.
