Savannah Guthrie’s Mother Nancy Missing in Arizona: Feared Kidnapped

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has shaken many people in Arizona and beyond. Authorities in Tucson say they now believe she was taken from her home against her will, turning what started as a missing person case into a serious criminal investigation.

Nancy was last seen on the evening of January 31, 2026, at her house in the Catalina Foothills area, near East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue, north of Tucson. Family members had dropped her off earlier that night, and everything seemed normal at first. But when she didn’t show up for church the next day, Sunday, February 1, a relative got worried after a call from the church and went to check on her. Around noon, they reported her missing to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff Chris Nanos quickly got involved, which isn’t usual for these kinds of calls. He described the home as a clear crime scene, with signs that something disturbing had happened there. “She did not leave on her own,” he told reporters during a news conference. “We believe a crime has been committed.” Investigators, including the homicide team, processed the house and found evidence suggesting she may have been harmed while being taken.

Nancy lives alone and has some physical health issues that limit her mobility, but she’s described as sharp and in good mental shape—no dementia or confusion involved. The family stressed she’s “as sharp as a tack.” She needs daily medication, and missing it for more than 24 hours could be dangerous, adding real urgency to the search.

Initially, teams used drones, search dogs, helicopters, and volunteers in a big search-and-rescue effort across the desert area around her home. But by Monday, February 2, the sheriff shifted focus, saying it was no longer just a search but an active crime investigation. They shut down the rescue side and are now treating it as a possible kidnapping or abduction.

Savannah Guthrie, who grew up in Tucson and even worked as a local reporter there early in her career, released a heartfelt statement through NBC. “On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support,” she said. “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.”

The sheriff has appealed directly to the community for any tips or sightings, emphasizing that every detail could help. Helicopters were still flying over the neighborhood as of Monday afternoon, and the case continues to draw heavy attention from local and national media.

Everyone hopes for Nancy’s safe return soon—it’s a tough, worrying situation for the family and all who know her story. If you’re in the area or have any information, reaching out to the sheriff’s office is the best step right now.