Sheriff says Savannah Guthrie’s mother was 'abducted' from her Arizona home while she slept

TUCSON, ARIZONA: 'Today' show star Savannah Guthrie’s 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, has been reported missing from her home in Arizona’s Catalina Foothills since Saturday, January 31.

Authorities now believe she was abducted while she slept and are treating her disappearance as a possible crime. Arizona law enforcement officials said Nancy did not leave on her own and urged anyone with information to come forward as the search intensified.

Nancy Guthrie believed abducted as police detail findings

Officials said evidence gathered from the home led them to conclude Nancy was taken against her will. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told CBS News, “I believe she was abducted, yes. She didn’t walk from there. She didn’t go willingly.”

Authorities added that items discovered during the processing of the residence raised serious concerns. “We saw some things at the home that were concerning to us,” Nanos said. “After we’ve processed that crime scene, we do in fact have a crime, and we’re asking the community’s help."

The sheriff clarified that although Nancy is classified as a “vulnerable adult” because of her age, this designation is not related to cognitive decline. “Nancy Guthrie is of great sound mind. This is not dementia related. She is as sharp as a tack,” Nanos said.

Officials warned that Nancy requires daily medication and that failing to take it within 24 hours could be fatal, adding urgency to the search. Nanos urged anyone who believes they may have seen her to document the sighting with a photo or video and immediately contact authorities.

A missing-person flyer released by the sheriff’s department described Nancy as 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing approximately 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Nanos said she lived alone and had limited mobility, noting that family members told investigators she “couldn’t walk 50 yards,” making it unlikely she could have gone far on her own. 

Appeals for assistance as investigation widens

After investigators began treating the disappearance as a crime, colleagues from 'Today'  show shared messages of concern and support. Former co-host Hoda Kotb posted a photo of Nancy on Instagram along with contact information for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, urging the public to help.

Al Roker also shared a message on social media, writing that he and others were praying for Savannah Guthrie and her family and for Nancy’s safe return.

Nanos declined to release additional details about what investigators found inside the home, citing the ongoing investigation. Sgt. David Stivers said, “There were circumstances on scene that we believe are suspicious in nature, I think is the best way to put it.”

The sheriff said no motive has been identified and that there was no immediate indication Nancy was targeted because of her name. However, he added that investigators are not ruling anything out, including the possibility of stalking or prior harassment.

The FBI is assisting with the investigation, according to sources familiar with the case who spoke to CBS News.