Former colleague calls Nancy Guthrie ‘a very good writer’ as search for missing mom continues

TUCSON, ARIZONA: Former classmate reflects on Nancy Guthrie’s college newsroom days as the disappearance of 84-year-old has drawn national attention, with law enforcement continuing an active search for answers. 

Reported missing on Sunday, February 1, after being dropped off at her home by family. Authorities have recently released newly obtained surveillance images and videos, offering renewed hope in the search for answers.

Former colleague remembers Nancy Guthrie’s campus journalism days

Nancy once worked at the student newspaper at the University of Kentucky, where she served as the paper’s society editor in the 1960s. According to Scripps News, Jack Guthrie, who shares her last name but is not related, worked alongside her during that time.

Jack remembered her fondly, describing her as “a very polite young woman” and “a very good writer.” He said she was friendly and frequently present in the newsroom, usually at least three days out of five each week. Upon learning of her disappearance, he expressed shock and sadness.

He continued, “Yeah, it, it's unfortunately, it's sad, the whole thing, you know, and you almost shed a tear when you see it, of knowing anybody that's got to go through what that family's going through.”

During her tenure at the newspaper, Nancy penned a twice-weekly column focused on campus social happenings and activities within the Greek life community. "But two days a week, she had a column. You know, the sports editor keeps up with who in the heck is the quarterback this week," Jack said.

He further highlighted her dedication to covering campus life, noting, “She was keeping up with who's sponsoring what events and what the fraternities and sororities were doing,”

The former colleagues eventually lost touch after college, with Jack only occasionally hearing updates about Nancy through news coverage of her daughter, Savannah Guthrie, who went on to become a prominent television journalist.

Authorities and family speak out on Nancy Guthrie case

Chris Nanos, the Pima County Sheriff, responded Sunday to a report citing an alleged inside source claiming the case was a “burglary gone wrong” and that investigators believe Nancy is still alive.

Speaking to Fox News, Nanos said the claim “did not come from us. No idea and even though that is one of many possibilities, we would never speculate such a thing”. Nanos further said, “We will let the evidence take us to the motive.”

Meanwhile, Savannah, posted a video on Sunday on her social media marking two weeks since her mother’s disappearance and sharing a message of hope, “I wanted to come on, and um, it's been two weeks since our mom was taken, and I just wanted to come on and say that we still have hope, and we still believe.”

Addressing whoever may have information, she added, “It’s never too late, and you are not lost or alone.” She concluded with a plea, “It is never too late to do the right thing and we are here. We believe, and we believe in the essential goodness of every human being.”