The disappearance of Today anchor Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, is being treated as a crime, according to the sheriff in Pima County, Arizona.
“We saw some things at the home that were concerning to us,” Sheriff Chris Nanos told reporters Monday. “Now that we have processed that crime scene, we believe there is an actual crime scene, an actual crime occurred, and we are asking for the community’s assistance.”
Nanos continued, “I think we told you that her mobility was very limited. We know that she didn’t just walk away from there. We know that. There are other things at the scene that indicate… that she didn’t leave on her own. We know that.”
Nancy Guthrie was first reported missing in Arizona on Sunday. Because of her age, she is classified as a “missing vulnerable adult” by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
Savannah Guthrie wasn’t at her “Today” desk Monday, but she issued a statement for her co-hosts to read live on air.
“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and messages of support,” Savannah Guthrie said. “Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our beloved mother. We appreciate the efforts of law enforcement on this case and encourage anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Office at 520-351-4900.”
Nanos, who held a press conference Sunday night about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, said she had “no signs of cognitive problems,” was “very alert,” and was in a “very sound state of mind.” Nanos also said police found a “very disturbing” scene at her home, but did not provide further details.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the night of January 31 at her home near East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue in Catalina Foothills, Arizona. Deputies say they don’t know what she was wearing, but they say she is 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighs about 150 pounds, and has brown hair and blue eyes.
Savannah Guthrie has previously spoken about her close relationship with her mother on Today, and the show even featured Nancy Guthrie in its 2023 Mother’s Day segment.
“When I was in my 30s, I really wanted to get married and become a mother, but things didn’t happen that quickly for me,” Savannah Guthrie said during The Corner. “And as the years went by and the clock ticked by, my mom’s confidence that I was going to be a mom meant a lot to me. She said, ‘Of course you’re going to be a mom, and you’re going to be a great mom.’ And her having that confidence and belief meant a lot to me. It got me through some really tough times.”
