Arizona investigators looking into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “TODAY” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, said Monday they believe she was taken from her home against her will.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos previously described Guthrie’s home as a “crime scene.” She was abducted “possibly in the middle of the night and that includes a possible kidnapping or abduction,” her department said in a statement.
Guthrie, 84, was last seen Saturday night at her home outside Tucson. He has limited mobility and needs to take medication daily or “it could be fatal,” Nanos said.
She had no cognitive problems and her disappearance was not related to dementia, he added, describing her as “sound of mind” and “sharp as a tack.”
Guthrie’s family reported him missing around noon Sunday, launching a search and rescue mission that included trained personnel, drones, a plane, a helicopter, volunteers and search and rescue dogs on loan from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
“I think she was kidnapped,” Nanos told NBC News. “When they drag you out of bed and you don’t want to go anywhere, that’s kidnapping.”
The department later clarified that the sheriff was speaking figuratively and did not mean that Guthrie was literally dragged out of her bed.
Nanos said officials believe Guthrie was injured when she was taken away, but did not provide other details.
“We know there was damage to the house, but we don’t know to what extent,” he said.
Nanos has not provided additional details about the investigation. He said investigators “saw some things in the house that concerned us,” but did not offer details.
The community was devastated by his disappearance, Nanos told NBC News.
“This is really sad for our community,” he said. “Savannah is family to us. She’s a big part of this community. Her family is devastated, the whole family. And you know, this just doesn’t happen in Tucson.”
Nanos confirmed that law enforcement officials are reviewing video from cameras at Guthrie’s home, where she lives alone and employs staff members. He urged neighbors to “check their Ring cameras.”
Nanos asked the public to contact the sheriff’s office at 520-351-4900 if they have information about the case.
“I need this community to step up and start making some calls to us,” Nanos said.
Guthrie is described as 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Her family last saw her at home between 9:30 pm and 9:45 pm on Saturday. She “is not in good physical health,” Nanos said.
Authorities are not aware of any threats against Savannah Guthrie, who is in Arizona. The FBI is aware of the case.
Monday’s broadcast of the “TODAY” show began with an update on Guthrie, with co-host Craig Melvin calling it a “deeply personal story for us.”
In a statement aired, Savannah Guthrie said in part: “I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support.”
“At this time, our focus remains on the safe return of our beloved mother,” he said in his statement. “We thank authorities for their hard work on this case and encourage anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at: 520-351-4900.”
On social media Monday night, Savannah Guthrie posted a statement focused on prayers for her mother.
“We believe in prayer. We believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope. We believe in good. We believe in humanity. Above all, we believe in Him.
“Thank you for lifting up your prayers with ours for our dear mom, our dear Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant. Lift up your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted up by them at this very moment.
“We need you.
“’He will keep in perfect peace those whose hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.’ an all-time verse from Isaiah for all of us.
“Bring her home.”
Savannah Guthrie has frequently spoken about her close relationship with her mother over the years.
“She fiercely loves us, her family, and her selflessness and sacrifice for us, her steadfastness and her unshakeable confidence, is the reason any of us grew up to do anything,” Savannah Guthrie said in a 2022 tribute to her mother on her 80th birthday.
In a Mother’s Day tribute on Instagram in 2024, Savannah Guthrie described her mother as “God’s first, best, and most important gift to me.”
Guthrie’s father, Charles Guthrie, died when she was 16 years old. She is one of three children.
