NBC Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie is facing an unimaginable personal crisis as her family searches desperately for her missing mother, 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, who vanished from her home in the Catalina Foothills, a quiet residential area north of Tucson, Arizona.
Nancy was last seen on Saturday, and alarm quickly spread when she failed to attend church the following morning—an uncharacteristic absence that immediately raised red flags among those who know her best. Concerned for her safety, a close friend contacted authorities on Sunday, setting off an urgent and wide-ranging search effort.
Since then, search-and-rescue teams have been working tirelessly, combing the rugged desert terrain both on foot and from the air. Helicopters, deputies, and volunteers have been deployed as investigators race against time to locate the elderly woman, whose age and fragile health have heightened fears for her well-being.
On Sunday, February 1, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos addressed the growing concern during a press conference, offering a sobering update on the case. While authorities emphasized that there were initially no confirmed signs of criminal activity, a homicide unit was brought in as a precaution to assist with the investigation.
“We’re throwing everything we have at this case,” Sheriff Nanos said. “Nancy Guthrie is 84 years old and not in good physical health, which makes this situation especially urgent. What we’re seeing at the residence is concerning, and our detectives are conducting a thorough and careful examination of the scene.”
As the search intensified, Savannah Guthrie remained off the air and did not appear on Today on Monday. In a heartfelt statement shared with viewers through the program, she expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support her family has received during this painful time.
“On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and messages of support,” Guthrie said. “Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom. We are deeply grateful to law enforcement for their tireless work and encourage anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.”
As investigators continue their search, the Guthrie family—and a concerned public—wait anxiously, hoping for answers and, above all, for Nancy Guthrie’s safe return.
