Elderly Mother of NBC Anchor Savannah Guthrie Reported Missing in Arizona
An intensive search operation is currently underway in Arizona for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of prominent NBC News journalist and TODAY show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. Authorities have classified the elderly woman as a missing vulnerable adult due to her age and poor physical health, while simultaneously launching a parallel investigation into concerning circumstances discovered at her residence.
Disappearance from Catalina Foothills Residence
The Pima County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) confirmed they received a 911 call around noon local time on February 1, reporting Nancy Guthrie missing from her home in the Catalina Foothills area north of Tucson. According to Sheriff Chris Nanos, she was last seen at her residence around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 31.
"Ms. Guthrie is 84 years old and is not of good physical health, so naturally we have some great concerns," Nanos stated during a news conference. "The scene at the house also has some concerns for us as well."
Homicide Detectives Join Investigation Amid Disturbing Evidence
In a significant development, authorities revealed that homicide detectives have been called in to assist with the case, although it is currently being treated primarily as a search and rescue operation. Sheriff Nanos confirmed that investigators are not ruling out criminal activity based on evidence found at the home, though he declined to provide specific details about the nature of that evidence.
"The Pima County Sheriff's Office is not ruling out that this is a crime based on the evidence we saw at the house," Nanos explained, while emphasizing that no conclusions have been drawn and foul play has not been confirmed at this stage of the investigation.
Massive Multi-Agency Search Operation Deployed
Law enforcement agencies have launched a comprehensive search effort utilizing multiple advanced technologies and resources:
- Aircraft and drones for aerial surveillance
- Search dogs trained for missing person cases
- Infrared technology and heat sensors
- Ground teams combing the area
Search efforts have focused on the vicinity near East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue, where Guthrie was last seen, with operations continuing overnight in hopes of locating the missing woman.
Public Description and Appeal for Information
Authorities have released the following physical description of Nancy Guthrie to assist the public in identification efforts:
- Height: 5 feet 5 inches
- Weight: Approximately 150 pounds
- Hair: Brown
- Eyes: Blue
Deputies noted it remains unknown what clothing she may have been wearing at the time of her disappearance. The Pima County Sheriff's Department has urged anyone with information to contact their office directly or call the 88-CRIME tip line.
Family Statement from Savannah Guthrie
The TODAY show addressed the situation during Monday morning's broadcast, with anchor Craig Melvin describing it as "a deeply personal story for us." Savannah Guthrie, who did not appear on the program, shared a heartfelt statement through the network.
"On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers, and messages of support," the statement read. "Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom. We thank law enforcement for their hard work on this case and encourage anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff's Department."
Background on Nancy Guthrie
While Nancy Guthrie has largely remained out of the public spotlight, she is best known as the mother of Savannah Guthrie, one of American television's most recognizable news personalities. The elderly woman has occasionally been referenced by her daughter during interviews and on-air conversations about family life and upbringing, though she has maintained a private existence away from media attention.
Authorities have emphasized her classification as a vulnerable adult stems from her advanced age and physical health conditions, though they confirmed she does not suffer from known mental health issues that might typically contribute to such disappearances.
