Tucson, Arizona – A multi-agency investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of Savannah Guthrie, co-host of NBC’s “Today” show, has intensified with the seizure of a vehicle and the ongoing analysis of forensic evidence. Authorities sealed off a road near Ms. Guthrie’s home and towed a Range Rover SUV from a chain restaurant parking lot late Friday night, .
The escalation in activity follows the discovery of blood belonging to the 84-year-old Ms. Guthrie on the porch of her Tucson-area home, where she was last seen on . She was reported missing around noon on , after failing to attend a scheduled virtual church service with a friend.
Investigators have also collected several gloves found in the vicinity of Ms. Guthrie’s property, with the closest located approximately two miles from her residence. These items have been submitted for laboratory analysis, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. DNA recovered from Ms. Guthrie’s property does not match hers or that of her close contacts, officials stated.
The investigation has been complicated by the receipt of purported ransom notes sent to news outlets. However, two previously established deadlines for payment have passed without incident. Law enforcement has not commented on the authenticity or credibility of these notes.
Ms. Guthrie has pre-existing health conditions, including difficulty walking, a pacemaker, and a requirement for daily medication to manage a heart condition, raising concerns for her well-being.
The FBI released surveillance footage earlier this month showing a masked individual on Ms. Guthrie’s porch. The subject is described as being between 5’9” and 5’10” tall, with an average build, and was carrying a black, 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack. The release of the video prompted a surge of public response, with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department receiving over 4,000 calls within 24 hours.
Roberto Villasenor, a former Tucson police chief, emphasized the importance of public input in such investigations. “In a situation like this, you really cannot do what’s been done without tips and public input,” he said. “They have processed the scene. But once that’s done and exhausted, it’s hard to move forward without additional information coming in.”
The Pima County Sheriff and the FBI have established dedicated phone numbers and a website for the public to submit tips related to the case. The FBI stated on , that it has received more than 13,000 tips since the investigation began, and the sheriff’s department has taken at least 18,000 calls. The FBI added that every tip is being reviewed for credibility and relevance, a process they described as a 24-hour operation.
Several hundred detectives and agents are currently assigned to the case, demonstrating the scale of the investigation. The FBI has not released details regarding the nature of the tips received.
Savannah Guthrie, in a social media post on , shared a home video montage of her mother, accompanied by a message expressing unwavering hope: “Our lovely mom. We will never give up on her. Thank you for your prayers and hope.”
The case has drawn significant media attention, with Sky News reporting on the latest developments and providing background information on the investigation. The focus remains on identifying the individual seen in the surveillance footage and determining their connection to Ms. Guthrie’s disappearance.
