Authorities in southern Arizona are mounting an intensive search for the missing 84-year-old mother of NBC’s TODAY co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, as troubling circumstances at her home prompted investigators to escalate the case and warn that foul play cannot be ruled out.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen late Saturday evening at her residence outside Tucson, according to local law enforcement. Her family reported her missing around noon on Sunday, setting off a large-scale response from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Chris Nanos said deputies immediately sensed something was wrong when they arrived at the property.
“What deputies encountered at the scene raised alarms,” Nanos told reporters, explaining that homicide detectives were called in to process the home. While that step is not standard procedure in a missing persons investigation, the sheriff acknowledged it was necessary given what investigators observed. He emphasized that authorities are treating the case with heightened urgency due to what he described as “grave concern.”
“This one stood out because of what was described to us at the scene and what we found and located just in looking at the scene,” Nanos said. He declined to offer specific details about the evidence or conditions that triggered the decision, citing the need to protect the integrity of the investigation. In a separate interview with a local NBC affiliate, he reiterated that there were “some things there that are concerning to us,” adding that investigators do not want to overlook anything.
The Guthrie family confirmed the missing persons investigation in a brief statement to NBC News. They said they are working closely with local law enforcement and expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support. The family thanked the public for the “outreach, thoughts and prayers” they have received and urged anyone with information to come forward immediately.
Nancy Guthrie is described as 5 feet, 5 inches tall, weighing approximately 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. According to authorities, she was last seen by relatives between 9:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. on Saturday night. Since then, there has been no confirmed sighting of her.
In response, officials have launched a wide-ranging search operation involving drones, aircraft, helicopters, and K-9 search-and-rescue teams. The effort has expanded beyond local resources, with assistance from Customs and Border Protection as authorities comb the area surrounding Guthrie’s home and nearby terrain.
Sheriff Nanos said the focus remains on finding Guthrie and determining what happened in the hours after she was last seen. While investigators have not confirmed criminal activity, the involvement of homicide detectives underscores the seriousness with which the case is being treated.
Authorities are asking anyone who may have seen Nancy Guthrie or has information about her whereabouts to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department immediately. As the search continues, law enforcement officials say every tip matters in a case that has quickly grown more urgent and deeply concerning.
UPDATE: Authorities have now confirmed that foul play may be at play in Guthrie’s disappearance.
Full presser from The Pima County Sheriff’s Department on the latest on the search for Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today Show host Savannah.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen on the evening of January 31, 2026, at her home. There are 'disturbing signs' at her home. pic.twitter.com/qIPCUZ98xX
— Luke Brenner (@TheLukeReport) February 2, 2026
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