Police Address Reports of Suspect in Search for Savannah Guthrie’s Mom

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Authorities are still looking for a suspect in the search for Savannah Guthrie’s mom. 

Although there were reports that police had identified a suspect shortly after Nancy Guthrie disappeared in Arizona, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos stated that investigators haven’t yet named anyone as a suspect in the case.

According to a statement shared on February 4th, investigators haven’t identified any suspects in the case. Detectives are still interviewing people who may have known Mrs. Guthrie.

Chris went on to assure that the police force are “working closely with the Guthrie family.

We understand the public is concerned, but sharing unconfirmed claims or inaccurate information is unhelpful and could hinder the investigation, according to a recent statement.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve been following the news about Nancy, the 84-year-old who went missing on February 1st. It’s incredibly worrying, and initially, there were concerns about a possible abduction from her home. The sheriff’s department has since shared that they’re investigating potential ransom notes, and they’re assuring everyone they’re taking every piece of information they receive very seriously. It’s a tense situation, and we’re all hoping for a positive outcome.

According to a statement released on February 3rd, all incoming information is being sent immediately to our detectives, who are working with the FBI. The department is asking anyone with information or leads to come forward and share them.

During an interview on Today on the fourth day of the investigation, Chris provided a quick update, stating that police still believe Nancy is alive.

According to Pima County Sheriff, they are operating under the assumption that the missing woman is still alive and nearby. “We have no other leads, but we believe she’s here, and our priority is to find and rescue her,” he told NBC News’ Liz Kreutz on February 4th.

The investigator once more asked people to keep sending in any tips or information that might help with the search.

He explained that the leads they’re receiving are very important. He also said these leads are valuable and they are being shared with the FBI and other agencies.

For a deeper look into the search for Nancy, keep reading… 

Police say 84-year-old Joan Guthrie, mother to Annie, Camron, and Savannah Guthrie, was last seen at her home in Tucson, Arizona, around 9:30 p.m. on January 31st.

Police confirmed to Today that Nancy, age 84, was reported missing on February 1st. Her family became worried when a friend told them she hadn’t attended church that morning. After searching her property for about an hour, her children contacted the authorities around noon to report her disappearance.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos later explained the first steps of the investigation, which involved detectives specializing in homicides, at the victim’s home.

It’s unusual for the sheriff to be involved in a situation like this, but the details coming from the house are very troubling,” he explained to reporters on February 2nd. “This case was particularly noteworthy due to what officers described and what we discovered while examining the scene.

Let me tell you, this case was really unusual. Normally, our homicide detectives get involved when we have a body, a confirmed homicide. But this time, we sent them out based solely on what the land surveyors reported – it wasn’t a typical situation at all.

After looking into what happened, officials stated they think a crime occurred at Nancy’s house.

During a press conference on February 2nd, Nanos stated that investigators have confirmed they are dealing with a crime scene. He appealed to the public for assistance, noting the community has a history of helping to solve difficult cases and he hopes they will do so again.

The sheriff pointed out that Nancy had trouble walking—she couldn’t walk even a short distance on her own—which led him to suspect she didn’t simply wander off, and that something bad might have happened to her.

He stated definitively, “We know she didn’t simply leave on her own,” and explained that evidence at the location suggests she didn’t leave voluntarily.

As we all keep Nancy in our thoughts and hope for her safe return, authorities want everyone to understand something critical: she relies on daily medication to stay healthy, and it’s very concerning that she’s likely without it right now. It’s a really important detail as the search goes on, and we need to keep that in mind.

I was really worried to hear Dr. Nanos explain at the press conference that this woman, an 84-year-old, is quite ill and needs medication urgently. She said without it within 24 hours, her condition could be life-threatening. It’s just heartbreaking to think about.

We’re asking anyone with information about this – if you’ve seen or heard anything – to please get in touch. Call 911. We want to avoid another tragedy and need the public’s help.

I’ve been following Nancy’s health journey, and while she’s faced some physical challenges for a while now, it’s really wonderful to see how sharp and engaged she still is mentally. Her mind is truly remarkable – she’s still incredibly quick and clear-thinking.

According to Dr. Nanos, Nancy Guthrie is mentally sound and this situation isn’t related to dementia. She’s still very alert and capable. The family wants to emphasize that she didn’t simply wander off, and any physical limitations are simply due to her age.

With the search for Nancy still ongoing, Nanos expressed his wish for her to come home safely.

“I hope we find her safe and sound,” he emphasized, “but we cannot ignore what’s in front of us.”

The day after Nancy was reported missing, the anchor of the Today show publicly shared how difficult this time is for her family.

Speaking for my family, I want to express our gratitude for all the kind thoughts, prayers, and supportive messages we’ve received,” she shared on February 2nd during an interview on NBC’s morning show. “Our top priority right now is bringing Nancy home safely.

She expressed gratitude to law enforcement for their efforts on the case and asked anyone with information to please reach out to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.

As soon as Savannah Guthrie shared the news that her mom, Nancy, was missing, my heart went out to her. It was so wonderful to see her co-anchors on Today immediately rally around her and offer their public support. It really showed what a close-knit team they are, and it was comforting to witness during such a difficult time.

Jenna Bush Hager shared on the February 2nd episode of Today with Jenna & Sheinelle that she and Nancy are friends, saying, “We love Nancy. I know her personally.”

She continued, saying they were thinking of Savannah and her family and sending their prayers to everyone affected.

Meanwhile, Sheinelle Jones emphasized the importance of community during this difficult time. 

She felt the show truly showcased the community at its finest when it asked viewers to reach out to the Pima County Sheriff’s department with any information related to the case, even if it seemed insignificant.

She added, “So we’re sending our prayers but we’re also sending our collective action.”

Before concluding the segment, both hosts continued, “We love you, Savannah.”

And Sunday Today anchor Willie Geist also urged fans to keep an eye out for Nancy.

On February 2nd, he posted on Instagram asking anyone with information about the whereabouts of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy, to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department in Arizona. He also included the sheriff’s department’s phone number, stating that she was missing.

Savannah’s former colleague, Hoda Kotb, responded to the surprising announcement by sharing a heartwarming photo of Savannah and Nancy together on the Today show set. In a simple Instagram post on February 2nd, Hoda included only a red heart and praying hands emoji.

Police have labeled Nancy’s home in Arizona a crime scene, but they say there’s no reason to believe the public is at risk.

At a press conference on February 2nd, Pima County Sheriff Nanos stated he didn’t believe there was an immediate danger, but emphasized that the investigation was ongoing and much work remained.

Savannah hasn’t been on Today since February 1st, when her mother was reported missing. However, local authorities have been checking in with her to make sure she’s okay.

The sheriff confirmed they had spoken with her. Her security team has been communicating with them all night, but they aren’t ruling anything out at this point.

On Feb. 2, Pima County police shared a series of updates on the timeline of Nancy’s disappearance.

Investigators now think she was taken from her home against her will, likely sometime during the night, according to a Pima County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson. They are investigating the possibility that she was kidnapped or abducted, and have been doing so since February 2nd.

After news broke that Nancy might have been taken from her home in Arizona while she was sleeping, Savannah made a heartfelt plea.

In a recent Instagram post on February 2nd, she shared her beliefs, stating that she and others find strength in prayer, unity, love, and hope. She expressed a firm belief in the goodness of people and in humanity, ultimately placing her faith in God.

Savannah continued, thanking everyone for keeping her mother, Nancy, in their thoughts and prayers. She described Nancy as a woman of strong beliefs and a devoted person, and asked for continued prayers, believing they would offer comfort and strength right now.

She added, “we need you.”

To conclude her plea, Savannah shared a Bible verse from Isaiah.

She shared a verse from Isaiah, writing, ‘Those who remain firmly committed to the Lord will experience perfect peace.’ She believed this message held true for everyone, throughout all time.

Savannah continued, “Bring her home.”

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos stated that DNA evidence was discovered at Nancy’s house, which is now being treated as a crime scene.

We collected samples and are hoping they contain enough DNA to help us identify what we’re looking for, he told NBC News in a report on Today on February 3rd.

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2026-02-04 19:48