Today Show Host Savannah Guthrie's Mother Nancy Missing: FBI Joins Abduction Investigation
The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC Today Show co-host Savannah Guthrie, has escalated into a major investigation with federal authorities now involved. Police are treating the case as a potential abduction after evidence suggested she was taken from her Arizona home against her will.
Critical Search Enters Third Day With Hundreds of Leads
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed that investigators have received "hundreds of leads" in their search for Nancy Guthrie, who was last seen on Saturday evening at her Catalina Foothills home near Tucson. The FBI and U.S. Border Patrol have joined local authorities in what has become a multi-agency investigation.
"We have a team designated to deal with all of our leads," Sheriff Nanos told reporters. "They're looking into all of that. We are sharing all of our leads with the FBI. They are helping us in evaluating those leads, how good they are, where their priority should be."
Evidence Points to Criminal Activity at Home
Authorities have confirmed they are treating Nancy Guthrie's disappearance as a crime scene investigation. While Sheriff Nanos declined to confirm reports about blood found inside the home, he stated clearly that investigators believe she was taken against her will.
"At this point, investigators believe she was taken from the home against her will, possibly in the middle of the night," Nanos said during a Monday press conference. "Taken against her will includes possible kidnapping or abduction. We believe now, after we've processed that crime scene, that we do, in fact, have a crime."
Health Concerns Add Urgency to Search
The investigation has taken on increased urgency due to Nancy Guthrie's medical needs. Authorities have confirmed she requires medication that "could be fatal" if she goes more than 24 hours without it. Despite being described as having "very limited mobility," Sheriff Nanos emphasized that her disappearance is not dementia-related.
"Nancy Guthrie is of great sound and mind, this is not dementia-related," Nanos stated. "She is as sharp as a tack. Her family wants everybody to know, this is not somebody that just wandered off."
Search Focus Shifts From Ground Operations to Investigation
Initial search efforts involving drones, aircraft, ground crews and dog teams have now been scaled back as the investigation shifts focus. The FBI is analyzing digital evidence including cell phone data and tower information while continuing to evaluate leads.
"Right now, we don't see this as a search mission, as much as we do a crime scene," Sheriff Nanos explained, indicating the investigation has moved beyond initial search operations.
Family and Community Response
Savannah Guthrie has made emotional public appeals for her mother's safe return, posting a faith-based message to her 1.2 million Instagram followers asking for prayers. The television host was absent from the Today Show on Monday as the search intensified.
Neighbors in the affluent Catalina Foothills community have expressed shock and concern, with many participating in volunteer search efforts and checking security camera footage. One neighbor told reporters they had seen Nancy just two days before her disappearance, describing her as "always smiling and always asking about our family and neighbors."
Investigation Continues Without Suspect Identification
Authorities have not publicly identified any suspects in the case, though former FBI special agent Nicole Parker suggested the abductor likely knew Nancy Guthrie or her home well. DNA samples have been submitted for analysis but have not yet yielded suspect information.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department continues to ask anyone with information to come forward as the investigation enters what authorities describe as a critical phase.
