NBC's Savannah Guthrie asks public to pray for missing mother Nancy Guthrie: 'We need you'

TUCSON, ARIZONA: Savannah Guthrie, co-host of NBC News' “Today” show, is turning to faith and the public as the search  for her missing mother, Nancy Guthrie continues. 

On Monday, February 2, Savannah thanked supporters for an outpouring of prayers after news broke that her 84-year-old mother vanished from her Arizona home over the weekend. 

Savannah Guthrie makes emotional plea

Savannah took to Instagram and posted a stark image that simply read, “Please pray."

“We believe in prayer. We believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope. We believe in goodness. We believe in humanity. Above all, we believe in Him,” the longtime news anchor wrote in the caption.

She went on to thank those who have joined her family in prayer.

“Thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant. Raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment,” the post continued, adding, “We need you.”

Savannah also shared a Bible verse as she tried to remain hopeful. “‘He will keep in perfect peace those whose hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.’ A verse of Isaiah for all time for all of us,” she wrote.

Savannah concluded the post with “Bring her home.”

Investigators say Nancy was possibly kidnapped from her residence north of Tucson, and that evidence found inside the house has raised alarms.

Evidence from Nancy Guthrie's home raised red flags

Nancy was last seen Saturday, January 31, night around 9.30 pm after family members dropped her off at her home near East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.

Concern grew the following morning when she failed to show up at church. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said a church member contacted the family, prompting relatives to go to her home around 11 am Sunday to check on her. When they couldn’t locate her, a family member called 911 around noon to report her missing.

Homicide detectives were dispatched to the scene almost immediately. What they discovered inside the house was "very concerning,” Nanos said.

By Monday, February 2, the sheriff confirmed investigators had identified what they believe to be a crime scene and said Nancy did not leave voluntarily.

“We believe now, after we processed that crime scene, that we do, in fact, have a crime scene that we do, in fact, have a crime,” Nanos told reporters. “She did not leave on her own. We know that.”

Authorities initially launched a search-and-rescue operation, but that effort has since been shut down as the investigation shifted focus. “

We don't see this as a search mission as much as we do a crime scene,” Nanos said.

Health concerns deepen urgency of investigation

To make matters worse, authorities revealed that Nancy has physical ailments that significantly limit her mobility, even though she remains mentally sharp.

Nanos said she is of “good sound mind,” pushing back against any speculation that she may have wandered off.

“This is not dementia-related. She is as sharp as a tack,” Nanos said Monday, February 1. “The family wants everybody to know this isn’t somebody who just wandered off. She couldn't go 50 yards."

Perhaps most alarming is the fact that Nancy has now been without critical daily medication for more than a full day.

According to Nanos, the family told investigators that going without those medications for 24 hours could be fatal. 

“The family has told us 24 hours without those meds could be fatal, and here we are at 30 plus hours,” Nanos said at a press conference.

Investigators also said there is evidence suggesting Nancy was harmed during the incident, though officials have not disclosed the extent of any injuries.