The search for Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, entered a fifth day as investigators worked to identify a suspect or motive in the 84-year-old’s disappearance. Authorities have appealed to the public for help and family members have made emotional pleas for her safe return.
Saturday night — last confirmed contact
Nancy Guthrie was last seen Saturday evening. She visited her daughter Annie’s home, arriving at 5:32 p.m., ate dinner there, and was driven back to her own house about 9:48 p.m. by her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, who waited until she went inside before leaving. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said the garage door closed at 9:50 p.m., which led investigators to conclude she was home and preparing for bed.
Early Sunday morning and discovery she was missing
A doorbell camera at the Guthrie residence disconnected at 1:47 a.m., and about 25 minutes later software registered motion on another camera, Nanos said, although no usable video has been released. Nancy Guthrie’s pacemaker app showed a disconnect from her phone at 2:28 a.m.
On Sunday morning a friend reported Nancy did not attend church. The family checked on her and contacted the sheriff’s office around noon; deputies arrived at about 12:15 p.m. and described the situation as missing under “concerning” circumstances. Because she has limited mobility and requires daily medication, searchers treated the case with urgency that night.
Monday — investigators treat it as a crime
Sheriff Nanos said investigators were treating the disappearance as a crime and asked neighbors to review any home video. “We saw some things at the home that were concerning to us,” he said, and later added, “I believe she was abducted.” Authorities circulated a missing-person flyer describing Nancy Guthrie as about 5 feet 5 inches tall, brown hair, blue eyes, weighing roughly 150 pounds.
Tuesday — possible ransom note and blood evidence
Officials said they were analyzing an apparent ransom note that referenced details of what Guthrie was wearing the night she vanished. Investigators also found what appeared to be drops of blood outside the front door and some evidence of blood inside the house; the blood outside was later confirmed to be Nancy Guthrie’s while additional test results were pending. Surveillance video from the property had not produced clear leads.
Wednesday — family appeals, FBI searches
Detectives continued interviewing people who may have had contact with Mrs. Guthrie and had not identified a suspect or person of interest. The FBI returned to the home with canines to follow leads. Savannah Guthrie posted an emotional video plea asking whoever has her mother to communicate: “We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you, and we are ready to listen. Please, reach out to us.” She stressed her mother’s fragile health and urgent need for medication.
President Trump said he had spoken with Savannah and directed federal law enforcement to assist the family.
Thursday — ongoing search and reward
At a Thursday briefing, investigators said Nancy Guthrie was still missing and that no suspect had been publicly identified. Authorities continued to urge anyone with information to call (520) 882-7463. Fabian Pacheco, chief of detectives for the Pima County Attorney’s Office, noted that while many tips are nonproductive, it only takes one useful lead to break a case; he estimated roughly 10% of tips have value. The FBI announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery or to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
That evening, Savannah’s brother Camron Guthrie posted a video plea: “Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you. We need you to reach out, and we need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward. But first, we have to know that you have our mom.”
Investigators continue to follow leads and ask the public to come forward with any relevant information.