Homicide investigators have been drafted into the urgent search for the mother of Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie, who disappeared from her Arizona home under what authorities describe as "disturbing" circumstances.
Police Deploy Extensive Resources in Search
Nancy Guthrie, 84, vanished between 9:30 pm and 9:45 pm on Saturday night from her residence in the Catalina Foothills area just outside Tucson, Arizona. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has confirmed that multiple resources including drones, aircraft, and specially trained dog teams - some loaned from Customs and Border Protection forces - are being deployed in the search operation.
"We hope we find her safe and sound, but we are very concerned," Sheriff Nanos told reporters during a press conference, adding that "concerning evidence" had been discovered at the scene which prompted the involvement of homicide investigators.
The sheriff elaborated that "this one stood out because of what was described to us at the scene and what we found and located just in looking at the scene," though he declined to provide specific details about what officers had uncovered. Authorities have confirmed they are not ruling out foul play in their investigation.
Family Issues Statement as Search Intensifies
The Guthrie family has released a brief statement acknowledging the situation: "We can confirm this is a missing persons case, and the family is working closely with local law enforcement."
According to the Pima County Sheriff's Office, Nancy Guthrie is being treated as a "vulnerable adult" due to her age, though she is not known to have any cognitive issues. She is described as standing 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing approximately 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes.
Savannah Guthrie's Close Bond with Her Mother
The disappearance comes as Savannah Guthrie has frequently spoken about her deep bond with her mother both on and off camera. In previous episodes of the Today show, the anchor has credited her mother's parenting with shaping both her personal life and professional career.
"When I was in my 30s, I really wished to be married and to be a mom, and things just did not happen that fast for me," Savannah once told viewers during an emotional tribute. "And my mom's confidence that I would be a mom - even as the years ticked by and ticked by and ticked by - meant so much to me."
She continued: "She said, 'Of course you'll be a mom, and you're going to be a wonderful mom.' And for her to have that confidence and faith was so meaningful to me. It got me through some really hard times."
Career Success Attributed to Mother's Influence
During her mother's 80th birthday celebration in 2022, Savannah Guthrie offered a particularly poignant tribute, directly linking her professional success to Nancy's influence.
"She loves us, her family, fiercely, and her selflessness and sacrifice for us, her steadfastness and her unmovable confidence is the reason any of us grew up to do anything," the anchor declared on air.
The close relationship between mother and daughter has been well-documented through social media and television appearances, with Savannah regularly featuring her mother on the program and sharing photographs of their time together.
As the search continues in the Tucson area, authorities are urging anyone with information about Nancy Guthrie's whereabouts to contact the Pima County Sheriff's Office immediately.
