A quiet neighborhood in Tucson’s Catalina Foothills was thrown into chaos when Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC anchor Savannah Guthrie, mysteriously vanished from her home in the middle of the night.
Police now believe that she was abducted from her bed, leaving behind her essentials, including her phone, wallet, car, and critical medication.
Last Seen at Home After a Family Evening
Nancy Guthrie spent Saturday evening enjoying dinner and playing mahjong with her daughter Savannah’s sister.
She returned home around 9:45 p.m., and the next morning, her family discovered she hadn’t made it to church.
Concerned, they reported her missing shortly before noon on Sunday, triggering an immediate law enforcement response.
Authorities Confirm She Didn’t Leave Voluntarily
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told reporters that investigators are confident Nancy did not leave her home of her own accord.
“She did not walk away,” he explained.
“We believe she was forced to leave that residence. It was against her will.”
Sheriff Nanos stressed the urgency of the situation, noting that Nancy requires daily medication to survive.
“If she is alive, she needs her medication, and it’s been well over 24 hours. That in itself could be fatal, and that is very concerning,” he said.
Savannah Guthrie Steps Back from Work
Savannah Guthrie, who had been scheduled to co-host NBC’s Olympic coverage from Milan this week, has withdrawn from the broadcast.
An NBC source confirmed, “There is no way Savannah will be there.”
Her focus, understandably, is entirely on her mother’s safety.
Unsettling Scene at the $1 Million Home
Nancy lives alone in a $1 million Tucson property, where police found the front door unlocked and lights left on in communal areas.
There were no immediate signs of forced entry, but investigators described aspects of the scene as “grave concern,” prompting the involvement of homicide detectives and notification of the FBI.
Sheriff Nanos emphasized that Nancy’s health and mobility issues make it impossible for her to have left voluntarily.
“She is very sharp, of good mind, and suffers from no form of dementia or Alzheimer’s.
She would have understood what was happening around her,” he said.
Investigators Believe a Break-In Occurred
Authorities suspect that someone entered Nancy’s home during the night.
“In our opinion, someone entered her home in the middle of the night and removed her.
It could be more than one person, we don’t know that yet,” Nanos said.
Expansive Search Underway
Police have launched an extensive search, going door-to-door, reviewing doorbell and security footage, and looking for a vehicle of interest.
Helicopters, drones with infrared cameras, search dogs, and volunteer rescue teams have been deployed.
Customs and Border Protection have also joined the effort due to the property’s proximity to the Mexican border.
Sheriff Nanos clarified that there is no evidence suggesting cartel or border-related involvement.
Neighbors reported an unusually heavy police presence, with flashing lights and helicopters patrolling the area.
Community and Colleagues React
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to check their surveillance footage and report anything suspicious.
Authorities are investigating all possibilities, including whether Nancy may have been targeted due to her daughter’s high-profile career.
On Monday, emotion spilled onto national television as Today show co-host Jenna Bush Hager addressed viewers tearfully.
“She takes daily medication and needs it for survival.
We are thinking of our dearest Savannah and her whole family right now in our prayers,” Hager said.
Savannah Guthrie issued a statement through NBC, expressing gratitude for the public’s support. “Our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom.
We thank law enforcement for their hard work and encourage anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Office at 520-351-4900.”
Law Enforcement Remains Committed
Sheriff Nanos assured the public that officers are using every available resource to locate Nancy.
“We hope we find her safe and sound,” he said, “but we are very concerned.”
