Search for Savannah Guthrie's Mother Continues as Today Host Withdraws from Olympics
The search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, has now entered a critical fourth day after she vanished from her Arizona home. Law enforcement officials from the Pima County Sheriff's Department have stated they believe she was abducted while sleeping late on Saturday night or in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Savannah Guthrie Prioritises Family Amid Crisis
In response to the distressing situation, Savannah Guthrie has made the decision to step away from her professional commitments. An NBC Sports spokesperson confirmed to The Independent that she will not be hosting the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony. The spokesperson explained her absence is due to her need to focus on being with her family during this profoundly difficult period.
Savannah has also been absent from her regular presenting duties on the Today show on both Monday and Tuesday. She broke her public silence on Monday evening with a heartfelt post on Instagram, writing, "Thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant." The message was a plea for collective prayer and hope.
Police Investigation Intensifies with FBI Assistance
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos provided an update on Tuesday, revealing that investigators have received "hundreds of leads" from across the country. A dedicated team is working through all tips, with the FBI assisting in evaluating their priority and credibility. Despite the volume of information, Sheriff Nanos admitted, "We don't know where she is," underscoring the urgency of the case.
Authorities have emphasised the grave medical concerns surrounding Nancy's disappearance. Sheriff Nanos disclosed that Nancy requires specific medication and warned that going without it for more than 24 hours "could be fatal." This detail has added a severe time pressure to the ongoing search and rescue efforts.
Concerning Details Emerge from the Scene
New details from the investigation have raised further alarm. A reporter from Arizona's Family, Briana Whitney, noted "concerning" observations at Nancy Guthrie's home in the Catalina Foothills near Tucson. These included the apparent absence of a Ring doorbell camera, which authorities are investigating as potentially removed, and what was described as "dried blood splatter" on the front porch.
Sheriff Nanos has not confirmed the presence of blood but acknowledged the team is examining all evidence. He has maintained that Nancy, described as being of "great sound mind" though limited in mobility, was likely taken against her will, classifying the incident as a kidnapping.
Timeline of Events and National Response
The timeline of Nancy Guthrie's disappearance is as follows:
- She was last seen at her home around 9:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, 1st February 2026.
- A family member grew concerned after a call stating Nancy had not arrived at church.
- She was officially reported missing to the Pima County Sheriff's Department around noon on Sunday.
- Search and rescue teams combed the area throughout Sunday and into the night without success.
- By Monday, Sheriff Nanos publicly stated his belief that she had been abducted.
The case has garnered national attention, with the White House issuing a statement on social media platform X, saying, "Our prayers are with the Guthrie family as we hope for Nancy's safe return home." Support has also come from Savannah's colleagues, including former co-host Hoda Kotb, who shared a message about the power of prayer.
Ongoing Probe with No Clear Motive
As the criminal investigation continues into its fourth day, Sheriff Nanos has declined to specify whether the abduction is believed to be random or targeted. The lack of a clear motive or location for Nancy Guthrie has left authorities and the family in a state of anxious uncertainty. The community and nation await further developments, hoping for her safe return.
