Pima County authorities say Nancy Guthrie, 84, the mother of TODAY co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing Jan. 31 from her Catalina Foothills home. Investigators have classified the residence as a crime scene and urged anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
The investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has escalated into a high-priority criminal inquiry. Pima County authorities have officially declared her Tucson-area home a crime scene, stating they believe she was taken from her home against her will, possibly during the night.
Nancy was last seen at her home in the Catalina Foothills, an affluent community north of Tucson. Her family reported her missing after a church member called to notify them she had missed the morning service on Feb. 1.
Savannah Guthrie with her mother Nancy Guthrie on the TODAY show in 2023 (Photo: Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images)
Critical 48-Hour Investigation Timeline
From last confirmed sighting to ongoing investigation
Hour-by-Hour Breakdown of Events
Last Confirmed Sighting
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen at her residence in the Catalina Foothills area north of Tucson. Family members brought her home where she lived alone. She was described as being of sound mind with no cognitive issues.
Church Absence Noted
A member from Nancy’s church contacted the family to report she had not attended the morning service. This was unusual for her regular attendance pattern, prompting immediate concern from family members.
Official Missing Person Report
Family members arrived at Nancy’s home and discovered her missing. They contacted the Pima County Sheriff’s Department after searching the residence. According to Arizona Department of Public Safety, all her personal belongings, including her wallet, cellphone, and vehicle were still there.
Massive Search Operation Launched
Search and rescue teams, including volunteers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection K-9 units, drones, helicopters, and aircraft deployed throughout the Catalina Foothills area. Teams worked tirelessly through the night.
Crime Scene Declaration
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos announced during a press conference that the residence is being treated as a crime scene. Homicide detectives took over the investigation based on concerning evidence found at the scene.
Investigation Continues
Arizona Department of Public Safety requested a SAFE Alert for Nancy Guthrie. Multiple agencies continue investigating the disappearance as law enforcement reviews security footage and follows leads from the community.
Sheriff Nanos emphasized the extreme urgency of the situation due to several factors. Nancy requires daily medication that could be fatal if not administered within a 24-hour window. She has restricted mobility and could not have left the residence independently. Authorities and family emphasized that Nancy has no cognitive issues or dementia, describing her as “sharp as a tack.”
While specific details remain confidential, investigators found concerning signs at the home. The search involved drones, helicopters, and K-9 units from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The FBI has been made aware of the case and is offering technical resources to local authorities according to law enforcement sources.
Investigation Location: Catalina Foothills
Search zone encompasses desert terrain north of Tucson
Ground Zero: Catalina Foothills Area
The residence is located in an affluent community surrounded by desert brush, making search operations challenging
Search Operation Legend
Missing person alert issued by Arizona Department of Public Safety (Image: Arizona Department of Public Safety)
Essential Investigation Details
Critical information about Nancy Guthrie and the ongoing search
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed that her disappearance is being treated as a crime. Nanos urged people who think they see Nancy Guthrie to take a picture or record a video and alert authorities immediately. He emphasized that she is very limited in her mobility and could not walk 50 yards by herself.
Savannah Guthrie, who is now in Arizona, issued a statement thanking the public for their thoughts, prayers, and messages of support. She urged anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900. The investigation continues with multiple law enforcement agencies involved.
Multi-Agency Response Deployment
Federal and local resources coordinating search efforts
Law Enforcement Investigation Components
Search Resources Deployed
Drones, helicopters, aircraft, and search-and-rescue dogs have been deployed. Ground teams continue working in the desert terrain around the residence with support from volunteers.
Law Enforcement Agencies
Pima County Sheriff’s Department homicide detectives are leading the investigation. Federal assistance is being provided by the FBI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection K-9 units.
Evidence Collection
Investigators are analyzing home security camera footage and Nancy’s cellphone. Authorities are urging residents to check Ring cameras and submit any relevant footage from the area.
Public Safety Assessment
Sheriff Nanos stated there is no indication the public is in danger. The investigation is ongoing to determine if this was a targeted incident related to Nancy’s family connections.
Official Statements from Authorities
Direct quotes from law enforcement and family
“We believe now after we’ve processed that crime scene that we do in fact have a crime scene, that we do in fact have a crime. She did not leave on her own. We know that.”
— Sheriff Chris Nanos, Pima County Sheriff’s Department Press Conference, Feb. 2, 2026
“She is very limited in her mobility. We know she didn’t just walk out of there. She couldn’t walk 50 yards by herself. There are other things at the scene that indicate she did not leave on her own.”
— Sheriff Chris Nanos on Nancy Guthrie’s physical condition
“This is not dementia related. She’s as sharp as a tack. The family wants everyone to know that this isn’t someone who just wandered off.”
— Sheriff Chris Nanos, Feb. 2, 2026 Press Conference
Savannah Guthrie has frequently spoken about her close relationship with her mother Nancy (Photo: savannahguthrie/Instagram)
“I believe she was abducted, yes. She didn’t walk from there. She didn’t go willingly.”
— Sheriff Chris Nanos to NBC News, Feb. 2, 2026
“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.”
— Savannah Guthrie, TODAY Co-Anchor statement, Feb. 2, 2026
“We believe in prayer. We believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope. We believe in goodness. We believe in humanity. Above all, we believe in Him. Thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant.”
— Savannah Guthrie, Instagram post, Feb. 2, 2026
The search and rescue effort was conducted late into Sunday night but was eventually paused as the investigation transitioned to a criminal case. Sheriff Nanos said they don’t see this as a search mission as much as they do a crime scene. FBI agents from across Arizona have been made aware of the case and are offering technical resources to support the investigation.
Authorities confirmed they are in possession of Nancy Guthrie’s cellphone and are reviewing the home’s security cameras. Law enforcement sources indicate that investigators are analyzing data from the electronic devices and examining the condition of the home for evidence.
Police do not know if Nancy Guthrie was targeted because she is Savannah’s mother and are not aware of threats aimed at Savannah after speaking with her security team. Sheriff Nanos said his department is not dismissing any angles but currently has no immediate information suggesting targeting.
Immediate Action Required
🚨 Public Assistance Urgently Needed
Authorities are urging anyone with information about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance to contact law enforcement immediately. If you have home security camera footage from the Catalina Foothills area between Jan. 31-Feb. 1, please review and report any relevant findings. Time is critical due to her medical needs.
Report Tips Immediately
Pima County Sheriff’s Department Tipline
Or dial 911 for emergency information
Alternative: Call 88-CRIME
Official Information Sources
First-Hand Authoritative Sources
Related Coverage
The investigation was discussed during multiple press conferences held by Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos on Feb. 1 and Feb. 2. The Arizona Department of Public Safety requested a SAFE Alert for Nancy Long Guthrie. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department classified her as a missing vulnerable adult due to her age and physical limitations.
Search operations involved multiple agencies including the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and FBI technical support. The case was covered in official statements from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Savannah Guthrie issued public statements through TODAY and her Instagram account.
Nancy Guthrie is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Her clothing at the time of disappearance is unknown. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department continues to request public assistance with information or security camera footage from the Catalina Foothills area.
