Authorities in Pima County, Arizona have launched a substantial rescue operation after the mother of a prominent US television presenter was reported missing over the weekend. Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, disappeared from her Tucson residence, prompting an urgent police response.
Extensive Search Operation Underway
Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed during a press conference that Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home around 9:30pm on Saturday 31st January. The missing persons report was filed at noon the following day, initiating what has become a comprehensive search effort.
"We've pretty much just thrown everything at this that we can," Sheriff Nanos stated, describing the multi-faceted approach to locating the vulnerable adult. The operation involves ground teams with search dogs, aerial support from drones and a helicopter, alongside criminal investigation specialists who have been examining the scene at Ms Guthrie's property.
Concerning Circumstances
While providing limited details about what investigators discovered at the home, Sheriff Nanos acknowledged that certain findings had raised concerns among his team. "This one stood out because of what was described to us at the scene, and what we found and located just looking at the scene," he explained.
When questioned about potential foul play, the Sheriff responded that he was "not ruling it out" as a possibility. The search teams are expected to continue their efforts through Monday morning, with investigators likely to spend much of the night processing the residence for evidence.
Family Appeal for Safe Return
Savannah Guthrie, who has co-anchored NBC's Today show since 2012, did not appear on Monday's broadcast as news of her mother's disappearance emerged. The programme opened with a statement from the television personality, which read: "On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support. Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mum."
The family confirmed they are treating this as a missing persons case and are cooperating fully with local law enforcement agencies. They described Nancy Guthrie as standing five feet five inches tall with brown hair and blue eyes, noting that while she experiences physical health challenges, she does not suffer from cognitive issues.
Search Strategy and Next Steps
Sheriff Nanos indicated that search teams would regroup to reassess their strategy, acknowledging the possibility that investigators might have overlooked something in their initial sweep. "Maybe we've missed something," he conceded, emphasising the commitment to exhausting all available resources in the search for the missing octogenarian.
The intensive operation reflects the seriousness with which authorities are treating the disappearance, particularly given Ms Guthrie's vulnerable status and the concerning circumstances discovered at her residence. As the search continues into its second day, both law enforcement and the Guthrie family remain hopeful for a positive resolution to this distressing situation.
