Savannah Guthrie’s Missing Mom: Authorities Share Updates on Leads

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The search for Savannah Guthrie‘s missing mom continues.

On February 1st, authorities reported that 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie was missing and may have been taken from her home in Tucson, Arizona. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department provided an update on the case, noting that investigators were looking into the possibility of a ransom demand.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told NBC News’ Liz Kreutz that they have no solid leads, only the hope that the woman is still alive and nearby. “We believe she’s here and we’re determined to find and rescue her,” he said.

Police are evaluating all information they receive, including unconfirmed ransom notes, as they investigate the case.

We’re getting important leads, and we’re sharing them with the FBI and other agencies,” Nanos explained. “These leads are very valuable to our investigation.

Following reports that 84-year-old Nancy may be the target of a ransom attempt, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department investigated a possible ransom note. TMZ reported receiving an unconfirmed message demanding a large sum of Bitcoin for her safe return and shared it with the authorities.

On February 3rd, the Sheriff’s Office acknowledged reports of potential ransom notes related to the Nancy Guthrie investigation. They stated they are thoroughly investigating all leads and tips received.

According to the statement, all incoming information is immediately sent to our detectives, who are working with the FBI. The department is asking anyone with information or tips to come forward and share them.

Nancy, the mother of Annie and Camron Guthrie, was last seen by family around 9:30 p.m. on January 31st. When she didn’t attend church the following morning, a friend alerted her family, according to Today. After searching for about an hour, the family reported her missing to the police on February 1st.

At the beginning of the investigation, Nanos thought Nancy had been taken from her house, as her health problems would have made it impossible for her to leave by herself.

He stated during a press conference on February 2nd that she couldn’t have simply left on her own, and emphasized that she was mentally alert and clear-thinking.

“Nancy Guthrie is of great sound mind,” he said. “This is not dementia-related.”

The sheriff’s office stated that Nancy’s house is now being treated as a crime scene. The sheriff explained they found things inside that raised concerns.

After examining the scene, we’ve confirmed it is a crime scene. We’re asking for the public’s help, as this community has always been supportive in solving difficult cases, and we need that support now.

With the search still underway for the mother of the Today show anchor, here’s a summary of what we’ve learned so far…

As a lifestyle expert, I’m sharing some concerning news. Pima County police are looking for an 84-year-old woman, the mother of Annie, Camron, and Savannah Guthrie. Her family last saw her at her home in Tucson, Arizona, around 9:30 PM on January 31st. We’re hoping for her safe return!

Police confirmed to Today that Nancy, 84, was reported missing by her family on February 1st. A friend noticed she hadn’t been at church that morning and let her family know. After searching her property for about an hour, her children contacted authorities around noon to report her missing.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos later explained the first steps investigators took at her home, including work by homicide detectives.

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

This isn’t how things usually work,” Nanos explained. “Normally, our homicide team only investigates when there’s a death, a body to examine. In this case, we sent them out based solely on the information the surveyors provided.”

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 working a crime scene. He asked for the public’s help, noting that the community has consistently assisted in solving 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 something wasn’t right about her disappearance.

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

The search for Nancy is still ongoing, and officials are stressing that she requires daily medication to stay healthy, and she likely doesn’t have it with her.

I was really worried to hear Dr. Nanos explain at the press conference on February 2nd that there’s an 84-year-old woman who’s quite unwell and needs vital medication. She said if this woman doesn’t get her medicine within 24 hours, it could be life-threatening. It’s just a really urgent situation and I’m hoping she gets the help she needs quickly.

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

Although Nancy has had health problems for a while, her mind remains sharp, according to Nanos.

According to Dr. Nanos, Nancy Guthrie is mentally sound and this situation isn’t related to dementia. She remains very alert and capable. The family wants to emphasize that she didn’t simply wander away, 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 messages we’ve received,” she told NBC’s morning show on February 2nd. “Our top priority right now is bringing Nancy home safely.

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

Once Savannah Guthrie learned her mother, Nancy, had been reported missing, her colleagues on the Today show publicly expressed their support.

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

She continued, saying they were keeping Savannah and her family in their thoughts and sending their prayers to everyone affected.

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

She felt the show was at its strongest when it called on viewers to help, asking them to contact 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 relevant phone number. Nancy is currently missing.

Savannah’s former colleague, Hoda Kotb, responded to the surprising news by posting a heartwarming photo of Savannah and Nancy together on the set of Today. Hoda kept her message brief, sharing a red heart and praying hands emoji in her February 2nd Instagram post.

Police have labeled Nancy’s home in Arizona a crime scene, but they don’t think the public needs to be worried.

Pima County Sheriff Nanos said at a press conference on February 2nd that he doesn’t believe there’s a current danger, but emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and much work remains.

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

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.

As a concerned follower of this case, I’ve been following the updates closely. The Sheriff’s Office now believes she was likely taken from her home against her will, probably while she was sleeping. They’re actively investigating it as a possible kidnapping, and have been since February 2nd. It’s just heartbreaking to think about.

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 faith, writing, “We find strength in prayer, in coming together with love and hope, and in believing in the goodness of people and in humanity itself. Most importantly, we believe in God.”

Savannah continued, expressing gratitude for everyone’s prayers for her mother, Nancy. She described Nancy as a woman of strong beliefs and a devoted person, and asked for continued prayers, believing they would provide 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, ‘He will keep those with steadfast hearts and unwavering trust in the Lord in 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 home, which is now being treated as a crime scene.

We collected samples and are hopeful they contain enough DNA to help us identify what we’re investigating,” he said in a report on NBC’s Today show on February 3rd.

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2026-02-04 17:27