Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of beloved Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, is the focus of an urgent missing-persons and criminal investigation in Arizona after vanishing from her Tucson-area home under troubling circumstances. Authorities have now classified her residence as a crime scene and are urging the public to come forward with any information that might help locate her.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos addressed the case at a press conference on Monday, February 2, 2026, emphasizing that investigators have evidence suggesting Nancy did not leave her home on her own. The sheriff said, “We know she didn’t just walk out of there. We know there are other things at the scene that indicate she did not leave on her own.” Nanos then added Nancy has limited mobility but is still “sharp as a tack.”
What happened to Nancy Guthrie?
The 84-year-old widow lived alone in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson, Arizona. Family members last saw her at home around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026. This followed a visit where they had dropped her off at the residence. Her family reported her missing the next day, Sunday, February 1. She had failed to attend a planned church visit and did not answer their calls.
Concerned loved ones contacted the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. This prompted a full missing-persons response that quickly escalated after investigators discovered concerning details inside her home. Nanos did mention that authorities recovered Nancy’s cell phone at the scene.
During the press conference, Sheriff Nanos stressed that law enforcement found red flags at the residence. Consequently, these findings prompted officials to treat the home as a crime scene and assign homicide detectives to the investigation, a departure from standard missing-person cases. Nevertheless, Nanos declined to disclose specific forensic findings at that time.
The Nancy Guthrie search continues
Because of these concerns, the sheriff’s department has deployed significant resources, including search teams, drones, canine units, and assistance from other agencies. Authorities have asked the public to check home surveillance footage and report any potential leads.
Savannah has not directly spoken to reporters about her mother’s disappearance. However, a statement from her, read by colleagues on Today and shared on Instagram, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and emphasized the family’s focus on finding Nancy safely.
In her statement, Savannah said, “On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers, and messages of support. Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom.”
As of the latest updates, Nancy remains missing, and her whereabouts are unknown. The scene at her home continues to be processed as a crime scene, and the Pima County Sheriff’s Office is actively canvassing the community for information.
Nancy is described as 5’5″ tall, approximately 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Authorities have emphasized that the investigation is ongoing. They are urging anyone with relevant information to contact the sheriff’s department immediately.
Published: Feb 3, 2026 07:25 am