Crime Scene Probed After Savannah Guthrie’s Mother Vanishes

Authorities in Pima County, Arizona, are investigating the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, 84, the mother of "Today" show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, as a potential crime, following a series of unsettling discoveries at her home over the weekend. The case, which has gripped the nation due to the high-profile connection and troubling details, has shifted rapidly from a missing person search to a full-scale criminal investigation, with the FBI and multiple agencies now involved.

Nancy Guthrie was last seen by her family on the night of Saturday, January 31, 2026, in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. Her children brought her home around 9:45 p.m., where she lived alone. The following morning, a call from her church alerted the family to her absence, prompting them to visit her home around 11 a.m. After searching themselves, they called 911 around noon on Sunday, February 1, to report her missing.

From the outset, authorities noted that the circumstances were far from ordinary. “We know she didn’t just walk out of there,” Sheriff Chris Nanos stated during a Monday press briefing, as reported by CNN. “She did not leave on her own. We know that.” Homicide detectives were dispatched to Nancy Guthrie’s residence—an unusual step for a missing person case—and what they found was, in Nanos’ words, “very concerning.”

“We believe now, after we’ve processed that crime scene, that we do in fact have a crime scene – that we do in fact have a crime,” Nanos told reporters on Monday, February 2, 2026, according to ABC News and local outlets. While authorities have not released specific details about the evidence found, both Nanos and homicide team Sgt. David Stivers described the circumstances as “suspicious in nature.”

Adding to the urgency, Nancy Guthrie suffers from physical ailments and has limited mobility. “She is of great, sound mind. This is not dementia-related. She is as sharp as a tack,” Nanos emphasized, countering any speculation that she may have wandered off. Family members and law enforcement alike have stressed that Nancy Guthrie requires daily medication, which, if not taken within 24 hours, could be fatal. "She needs her meds. Her family needs her too," Nanos said at the press conference, underscoring the time-sensitive nature of the search.

Search and rescue teams—including volunteers, dogs, border patrol agents, and helicopters—were deployed overnight Sunday into Monday, scouring the area with drones, heat sensors, and infrared technology. Despite these efforts, there was no sign of Nancy Guthrie by Monday morning. Authorities have since suspended the active search, shifting focus to the crime scene investigation and technological leads.

Investigators are now combing through security footage from Nancy Guthrie’s home and the surrounding neighborhood, as well as analyzing data from license plate readers and other surveillance systems. “We are at a time in this investigation where we need to depend on technology,” Nanos remarked, as reported by local media. He also made a pointed appeal to the community: "I need this community to step up and start giving us some calls." Residents were urged to check their home security cameras for any unusual activity and to report anything out of the ordinary, even if it seems insignificant.

"Everybody just wants to be able to know that they can go outside and enjoy their community and come home and be safe at night in their rooms, asleep in bed, and this lady wasn’t able to accomplish that," Nanos reflected, highlighting the broader sense of unease that the case has sparked. However, authorities have reassured the public that there is no indication of a wider threat at this time.

The investigation has drawn significant resources, with the FBI joining local law enforcement and other agencies. “The FBI, all of them, we work so close with them and they are all plugged in. We'll continue to work closely with them,” Nanos said. The sheriff’s department has also coordinated with Tucson police, border patrol, and smaller agencies, emphasizing a united front in the effort to resolve the case.

As the story unfolded, NBC’s "Today" show led with the news of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance on Monday morning, February 2, 2026. Savannah Guthrie, who was not at the anchor desk that day, released a heartfelt statement through her colleague Craig Melvin: "On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support. Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom." The statement continued, "We thank law enforcement for their hard work on this case and encourage anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff's Department at 520-351-4900." NBCUniversal confirmed that the family is working closely with law enforcement.

Sheriff Nanos, known for his candid approach, also addressed the challenges of modern policing and the critical role of technology in solving cases like this. He called on political leaders to support law enforcement’s use of surveillance tools, arguing, “Those tools in the right hands with the right minds and the right approaches are extremely valuable to solving crimes just like this.”

Throughout the investigation, authorities have remained tight-lipped about certain aspects to preserve the integrity of the case. When pressed for more details about what, specifically, made the scene “very concerning,” officials declined to elaborate, citing the ongoing and sensitive nature of the inquiry. “There were circumstances on scene that we believe are suspicious in nature, I think is the best way to put it, but we can't really get into a whole lot of details with that,” Stivers explained.

While speculation has swirled—given Savannah Guthrie’s public profile—Sheriff Nanos said his department is not aware of any threats against the family but is not ruling out any possibilities. “We're not going to dismiss any angles for sure, but right now, immediately, we don't know of anything like that,” he said, confirming that Savannah Guthrie’s security team has been in contact with investigators.

As of Monday evening, the investigation continues, with law enforcement urging anyone with information—no matter how minor it may seem—to come forward. The Guthrie family, described by Nanos as "very cooperative," remains hopeful, as does the wider community. “Time is very critical,” the sheriff stressed, given Nancy Guthrie’s need for medication and her physical vulnerabilities.

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has not only mobilized law enforcement and a national media spotlight but has also galvanized a community to action. With every hour that passes, the urgency grows, and the hope for her safe return remains at the forefront of all involved.