The search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, continues as authorities investigate her disappearance from her Tucson, Arizona home over the weekend. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department reported Nancy Guthrie missing on Sunday, February 1, 2026, after family members found her home unoccupied.
Sheriff Chris Nanos stated during a press briefing on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, “We don’t know where she is.” He added, “We do believe that Nancy was taken from her home against her will, and that’s where we’re at.” Investigators do not believe Nancy Guthrie left her home willingly, and suspect she was abducted in her sleep early Sunday morning.
The disappearance has brought renewed attention to the Catalina Foothills community, a serene and secluded area where Nancy Guthrie has lived for decades. Neighbors describe the area as quiet, and safe. Jeff Lamie, a neighbor, told CNN, “People feel unsettled, I would not say fearful, but obviously, What we have is shocking…It’s actually a wonderful, wonderful neighborhood.” The community has a population of around 53,000 people, with a median age of 56, according to recent U.S. Census data.
Authorities are reviewing possible ransom notes that were forwarded to them by KGUN, an ABC Tucson affiliate, but officials have not yet confirmed if any of the letters are legitimate. DNA samples collected from Nancy Guthrie’s home have been confirmed to belong to her, but have not yet yielded any suspect information, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
Savannah Guthrie’s connection to the Tucson area runs deep. She attended the University of Arizona and often speaks fondly of the region, describing it as her “home.” In a segment on the “Today” show last fall, she called herself a “daughter of the desert,” and her mother described Tucson as having a “wonderful” quality of life. Nancy Guthrie added, “Just the air…is laid back and gentle.”
The family has a long history in the area, having relocated from Australia when Savannah was young. Savannah’s father, Charles Guthrie, died of a heart attack in 1988, and she has often spoken about her mother’s strength in the wake of that loss. In a 2023 interview, Savannah recalled how her mother “set aside her own grief” to support her and her siblings.
Savannah Guthrie was scheduled to travel to Italy on Monday, February 2, 2026, for NBC’s coverage of the Winter Olympics, but her plans were disrupted by her mother’s disappearance. NBC has mobilized resources to assist in the search, and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department’s tip line number, 520-351-4900, has been widely publicized.
Sheriff Nanos confirmed that Savannah Guthrie and her security team have been in contact with his office throughout the investigation. The search continues, with mountain search and rescue crews scouring the terrain and neighbors assisting by checking their properties. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Nancy Guthrie’s church community, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, has also expressed their support, stating in a statement to CNN affiliate KTVB, “We are praying for mercy. We are praying for her safe return. We are praying for her family.”
