Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted or kidnapped after being reported missing on Feb. 1, triggering a massive search in the Catalina Foothills area just north of Tucson.
At a news conference Monday, Feb. 2, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance was being investigated as a crime. He said a search that began Sunday night with ground crews and dog teams on foot and with drones and aircraft was stopped to give crews time to rest.
“At this point, investigators believe she was taken from the home against her will, possibly in the middle of the night. Taken against her will includes possible kidnapping or abduction,” Nanos said.
Nanos said he could not go into further details about why the department views the disappearance as a crime, but Sgt. David Stivers added there were “some suspicious circumstances.” Nancy Guthrie could not have walked out on her own, according to the department.
“She couldn’t walk 50 yards by herself,” Nanos said at the news conference, noting that while Nancy Guthrie had mobility issues because of her age, she had no cognitive issues.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation offered assistance on the case, Nanos said. He also said the Sheriff’s Department is working with federal partners as needed with help on the “technological pieces of this investigation.” The U.S. Border Patrol has also assisted with dogs.
Nanos said the department is looking at home security camera footage and license plate readers to help find what happened to Guthrie.
“Our department has established a Tip Line QR code to streamline the sharing of information. Through this link, members of the public can directly submit photos or videos that may be helpful to the investigation,” Pima County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Angelica Carillo said in an emailed news release in the evening of Feb. 2.
Jeff Lamie, one of Guthrie’s neighbors, said he saw law enforcement reach out, door to door, to talk to people, asking to see Ring videos and to look through people’s backyards. He also went through his home’s camera footage with investigators.
“There was nothing. There was a javelina at 4 o’clock in the morning, but that’s not going to be helpful to us,” he said. “We would love to provide information; unfortunately, right now, it doesn’t seem like we found it yet.
There is no indication that the public is in danger, he said.
Guthrie last seen at her home Sunday night
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the evening of Jan. 31, 2026, about 9:30 p.m. at her residence near Skyline Drive and Campbell Avenue, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
Homicide detectives had been called in to process the scene at Nancy Guthrie’s house, Nanos said.
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“We hope we find her safe and sound, but we are very concerned,” Nanos said.
Foul play could not be immediately ruled out in the case, Nanos said. He would not provide further information.
Savannah Guthrie issued a brief statement on behalf of her family on the “Today” show this morning.
“I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support,” Savannah Guthrie stated. “Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom.”
“We thank law enforcement for their hard work on this case and encourage anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department,” she added. The number to call is 520-351-4900.
Pima County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Angelica Carillo said in an emailed news release in the evening of Feb. 2: “Our department has established a Tip Line QR code to streamline the sharing of information. Through this link, https://pimasheriff.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/nancy-guthrie, members of the public can directly submit photos or videos that may be helpful to the investigation.”
Nancy Guthrie was described as a white female, approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing about 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. It was unknown what clothing she might be wearing.
The Guthrie family has been cooperating and working with law enforcement, Nanos said.
“Our hearts go out to them. This is (Savannah Guthrie’s) mom. Just a great lady, from what I’ve heard, and we just feel for the family and want to bring her back safely,” Nanos said.
Neighbors say it’s a quiet area in Tucson
The Catalina Foothills is an affluent area, largely with 1-acre lots, where homes are surrounded by desert brush and flora.
One neighbor described the community as quiet, noting that residents are used to walking their dogs, cycling and waving good morning to one another.
The neighbor, who declined to be named, called the incident very unusual and recalled seeing police last night driving up and down the street with their lights while a helicopter was flying low above the homes.
Law enforcement was not visibly present when The Arizona Republic visited the neighborhood on Feb. 2, after the news conference. Sheriff’s deputies arrived shortly after and said the area was an active crime scene and search teams would be back soon.
Lamie, one of Guthrie’s neighbors, said her disappearance was surprising.
“It’s a very quiet neighborhood, it’s a very safe neighborhood. This is highly unusual, and we are very concerned about her,” he said.
Lamie said there has been a “high response” to Guthrie’s disappearance. A volunteer rescue group, he added, went through the brush and desert last night, and authorities deployed drones and a helicopter.
He said he didn’t know Guthrie well, only that she lived in the neighborhood.
By the afternoon of Feb. 2, Guthrie was still considered missing. Detectives were on scene and following up on tips they received, said Angelica Carillo, a spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
Anyone with information regarding Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts was asked to call 911 or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
Savannah Guthrie grew up in Tucson and is a University of Arizona alumna.
The “Today” show cohost returned Jan. 26 after a lengthy break to undergo surgery to address non-cancerous growths found on her vocal cords.
This is a developing story. Return to azcentral.com for updates.
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