Nancy Guthrie, 84, the mother of Today host Savannah Guthrie, is missing from her home in the Catalina Foothills area of Arizona, and Pima County authorities are treating the case as a criminal matter. Sheriff Chris Nanos has told investigators he believes Nancy Guthrie was taken from her home while she slept and did not leave willingly.
Investigators say items at the residence were concerning enough that the scene was processed as a crime scene. Officials have described Nancy Guthrie as about 5 feet 5 inches tall, with brown hair, blue eyes and weighing roughly 150 pounds.
The family told deputies she is very limited in mobility and ‘‘couldn’t walk 50 yards,’’ so investigators believe she would not have been able to go far on her own. She requires daily medication, prompting officials to warn that time is critical. The family has said this is not a dementia-related wandering; authorities describe her as being of sound mind.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home at about 9:30 p.m. on Saturday. When she did not attend church the next morning, family members checked the house and called 911. Officials have not released detailed information about what was found at the scene, citing the ongoing investigation, but have called the circumstances suspicious.
Search-and-rescue teams initially used drones, helicopters and heat sensors overnight before the effort shifted from a search to a criminal investigation. Investigators are reviewing security-camera footage from inside the home, examining her cellphone records, and checking license-plate readers and other surveillance cameras for leads. The FBI is assisting, according to sources.
Authorities have asked neighbors to review their home security footage, especially between about 1:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. Sunday, starting with a narrow time window that may be expanded. Residents who think they see Nancy Guthrie are urged to take a photo or video and immediately notify law enforcement so digital evidence can be downloaded and reviewed.
Savannah Guthrie issued a statement thanking people for their thoughts, prayers and support and asking supporters to join the family in prayer. The Guthrie family is cooperating with investigators.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.