The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has triggered an urgent investigation in southern Arizona, with local authorities now saying they believe a crime has been committed.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the night of Saturday, January 31, at her home in the Catalina Foothills, a residential area north of Tucson, Arizona.
According to law enforcement officials, she went to bed that evening and was discovered missing the following morning. Since then, a large-scale search effort has been underway, involving local law enforcement, search-and-rescue teams, and investigators from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. As of now, Nancy Guthrie has not been located.
Authorities Say Disappearance Is “Highly Concerning”
On Monday, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos publicly addressed the case, confirming that investigators believe Nancy Guthrie did not leave her home voluntarily.
“At this point, investigators believe she was taken from the home against her will,” Sheriff Nanos said during a press briefing. “Taken against her will includes possible kidnapping or abduction.”
He added that the circumstances surrounding her disappearance strongly suggest outside involvement.
“We have an 84-year-old woman who went to bed Saturday night and came Sunday morning, she’s gone,” Nanos said. “We know — or at least we strongly believe — she did not walk out of that home on her own.”
According to the sheriff, Nancy Guthrie’s age, mobility limitations, and mental clarity make it unlikely that she wandered away voluntarily.
Law Enforcement: “She Did Not Leave on Her Own”
Sheriff Nanos emphasized that Nancy Guthrie was mentally sharp and fully aware of her surroundings.
“She is really just as sharp as a tack,” he told People. “She knows what’s going on. That is also what makes this so concerning.”
Authorities have stated that Nancy relied on a cane to walk and would not have been able to travel far without assistance.
“She couldn’t walk 50 yards by herself,” investigators noted, reinforcing the belief that her disappearance involved outside intervention.
Search-and-Rescue Efforts Continue
Since the report of her disappearance, a large search-and-rescue operation has been conducted in and around the Catalina Foothills neighborhood. The area is known for its rugged desert terrain, including cactus, mesquite trees, rocky ground, and open scrubland.
Despite extensive searching, no confirmed sightings or physical traces of Nancy Guthrie have been found in the surrounding desert.
Because of the lack of evidence suggesting she walked away, authorities shifted focus from a missing-person search to a potential criminal investigation.
Reports of Blood Found Inside the Home
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times, citing law enforcement sources, reported that blood had been found inside Nancy Guthrie’s home. According to the report, there were also signs of forced entry.
Officials have not publicly confirmed whose blood was found, and investigators stressed that the presence of biological material does not automatically indicate a fatal outcome.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that what they described as “biological DNA-type evidence” has been collected and is being analyzed.
Authorities have declined to release further details, citing the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation.
Security Footage Under Review
As part of the investigation, law enforcement is reviewing home security footage from the neighborhood. Residents in the area have been asked to examine their Ring cameras and other surveillance systems for anything unusual during the overnight hours between Saturday and Sunday.
Sheriff Nanos stated that every available investigative tool is being used.
“We’re doing all we can to try to locate her,” he said. “Every tool we have, we will use.”
Reward Offered for Information
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department announced a reward of up to $2,500 for information, images, or video that leads to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.
Authorities are urging anyone with relevant information — no matter how small it may seem — to come forward.
Neighbor Describes “Strange” Scene Near the Home
As the investigation continues, a neighbor has spoken publicly about the unusual circumstances surrounding the case.
Morgan Brown, who lives approximately a quarter-mile from Nancy Guthrie’s home, told Us Weekly that the neighborhood has been unsettled since the disappearance.
According to Brown, several dark-colored vans with tinted windows were seen in the area near Nancy Guthrie’s home after she was reported missing.
“There were a lot of dark vans with blacked-out windows,” Brown said, noting the visible law enforcement presence during the investigation.
A Neighborhood Surrounded by Desert
Brown also described the geography of the area, which investigators initially considered during early search efforts.
“If you step two feet off the road, you are basically in the thick of the cactus,” Brown explained. “It’s not gated at all.”
The surrounding terrain is rugged and unforgiving.
“It’s desert-y,” Brown said. “Scrubby mesquite trees and cactus and rocks everywhere.”
While some initially wondered whether Nancy Guthrie might have wandered into the desert, Brown said that idea did not align with what neighbors know about her.
“She walks with a cane,” Brown said. “I can’t imagine why she would do that.”
A Quiet Community
According to residents, the Catalina Foothills neighborhood is generally calm and uneventful.
“There are quite a few retirees and people who have lived in the neighborhood for a while,” Brown said. “You don’t hear of a lot of weird stuff in the neighborhood.”
That sense of normalcy has made the case even more disturbing for those who live nearby.
Concern for the Guthrie Family
Brown acknowledged that the disappearance has prompted widespread concern, not only for Nancy Guthrie but also for her family.
Savannah Guthrie, one of the most recognizable faces on American morning television, has not made public statements about the case beyond respecting law enforcement’s process.
“I can’t imagine what someone would want with an 84-year-old woman,” Brown said. “It’s horrible news.”
Authorities have not suggested a motive, and investigators have cautioned against speculation while the case remains active.
Law Enforcement Urges Public Patience
Officials have stressed that many details cannot yet be released, as doing so could compromise the investigation.
Sheriff Nanos reiterated that the department’s priority is finding Nancy Guthrie alive and bringing clarity to her family.
“This is an ongoing investigation,” he said. “Our goal is to bring her home.”
A Case Still Unfolding
As of now, Nancy Guthrie remains missing. The investigation continues, with law enforcement pursuing all leads and analyzing evidence collected from the home and surrounding area.
Authorities continue to urge the public to report any relevant information and to avoid spreading rumors or unverified claims.
The Guthrie family has received widespread support, with many expressing hope for Nancy’s safe return.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
Thoughts and prayers remain with the Guthrie family as the search continues.
