Updated: February 4, 2026 / 9:28 PM EST — CBS News
A family friend told CBS News the disappearance of NBC “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie’s mother has been “absolutely heart-wrenching” as the Tucson community gathered for a candlelight vigil to pray for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie’s safe return.
Sally Shamrell, an actress and former KVOA reporter who has known the Guthrie family for more than 30 years, said the family is “very revered” in Tucson. “Nancy and Savannah have both contributed so much to the Tucson community,” Shamrell said. “They’re just positive contributors and very faithful women. What’s going on is absolutely heart-wrenching.”
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is treating Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance as a crime. Authorities say no suspect or person of interest had been identified as of Wednesday night. Officials reported she was last seen at her Catalina Foothills home Saturday night and was not reported missing until she failed to attend church Sunday morning, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said.
Shamrell helped organize Wednesday’s vigil at St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church after seeing Savannah Guthrie’s social media post Monday asking for prayers. In that post, Savannah wrote, “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. Raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment. We need you.” On Wednesday, Savannah and her siblings, Camron and Annie Guthrie, posted a longer video message pleading for their mother’s return.
“I know that the Guthrie kids, who are so, so missing their dear, dear mother, I mean, she is everything to them,” Shamrell said. “I just hope, if they see this, and they see the whole community’s come together, that they will know that they’re not alone. It’s a pretty dark time.”
Shamrell contacted former colleagues at KVOA to help arrange the event, describing station employees as close-knit. The service was livestreamed on the church’s website. Attendees filled the pews and placed dozens of candles at the altar.
Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was abducted from her Catalina Foothills home, where signs of forced entry were reported. A law enforcement source told CBS News a small amount of blood found inside the home was being tested. Sheriff Nanos said a ransom note was sent to a local Arizona news station after the disappearance, but he could not confirm the note’s accuracy or legitimacy.
Anyone with information about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance is asked to call the Pima County Sheriff’s tip line at 520-351-4900.
Jonathan Vigliotti and Pat Milton contributed to this report.
