FBI Joins Search After Savannah Guthrie’s Mother Vanishes

On the sunbaked outskirts of Tucson, Arizona, the Catalina Foothills community has always prided itself on its serenity and safety. But that tranquility has been shattered in recent days by the mysterious disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, 84, mother of NBC "Today" co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. The story, which has quickly escalated from a missing person case to a suspected abduction, has gripped not only the tight-knit local community but also captivated a national audience.

Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the evening of Saturday, January 31, 2026, after her daughter Annie Guthrie brought her home from dinner. The following day, when Nancy failed to appear for Sunday plans, her family grew concerned and began searching her home. By noon, with no sign of Nancy and after a fruitless search, the family called 911 to report her missing, according to CNN and the Arizona Republic. The Pima County Sheriff's Department soon launched a full-scale investigation, treating Nancy's home in the Catalina Foothills as a crime scene.

Authorities have been unequivocal in their assessment: Nancy Guthrie did not leave on her own. "At this point, investigators believe she was taken from the home against her will, possibly in the middle of the night. Taken against her will includes possible kidnapping or abduction," Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told reporters, as cited by the Arizona Republic. The sheriff went further on CNN, saying that based on his 50 years of experience, he had a "gut feeling" that this was more than a routine missing person case. "This is an elderly woman in her mid-80s who suffers from ailments… she couldn’t go 50 yards," Nanos explained, underscoring the unlikelihood of Nancy simply wandering off.

Adding to the gravity of the situation, alarming footage released by NewsNation on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, showed what appeared to be a blood trail—dark splatters visible on the brown tiles leading up to Nancy's front door. This disturbing evidence only deepened investigators' conviction that foul play was involved. Homicide detectives were called in to process the scene, and the search area expanded to include the dense desert terrain surrounding Nancy's home. Ground crews, dog teams, drones, and aircraft have been deployed in the ongoing search, while neighbors have been asked to review their home surveillance footage for any clues, according to CNN and the Arizona Republic.

The Guthrie family, who have deep roots in Tucson, have been thrust into the center of a nightmare. Nancy, a single mother since the sudden death of her husband Charles Guthrie in 1988, raised her three children—Savannah, Annie, and Camron—with resilience and steadfast love. Savannah, the youngest, has often spoken of her mother's strength and integrity. On her mother’s 80th birthday, Savannah described Nancy as someone who "met unthinkable challenges in her life with grit, without self-pity, with determination, and always, always with unshakeable faith," as reported by the Arizona Republic.

Now, Savannah and her siblings are leaning on each other as they face a crisis unlike any before. Savannah was believed to have been present at Annie’s Tucson home on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, when FBI agents and local sheriffs conducted a two-hour meeting as part of the investigation, according to Page Six and the Tribune. Officials did not comment as they left the property, and the family has remained largely out of the public eye, focusing on cooperating with law enforcement and supporting one another. Sheriff Nanos told Us Weekly that the situation has been "tough on" Savannah, Annie, and Camron, but that the family has been "very cooperative with us and everything we’re doing."

Michael Feldman, Savannah’s husband, has also spoken briefly to the press. On Tuesday morning, he told Page Six, "I don’t have anything new to report" and described himself as "just being responsive" but feeling "mostly unhelpful" in the devastating situation. The emotional toll has been immense. An NBC producer close to Savannah described the moment she learned of her mother's disappearance as "the worst phone call of her life." Savannah, who was preparing to fly to Italy to cover the 2026 Winter Olympics for NBC, immediately changed her plans and rushed to Tucson to be with her family, according to CNN.

The Catalina Foothills community, known for its spacious lots, desert foliage, and a population with a median age of 56, has been deeply unsettled by the incident. Neighbor Jeff Lamie told CNN, "People feel unsettled, I would not say fearful, but obviously, this is shocking." He described the neighborhood as quiet and safe, noting that residents have been actively searching their properties and reviewing doorbell camera footage in hopes of finding any evidence that could help authorities.

Nancy Guthrie, affectionately called a "daughter of the desert" by her family, had lived in the Catalina Foothills for decades. She was known for her gentle spirit and her love of the Arizona landscape. In a segment on "Today" last fall, Savannah and Nancy were seen dining together at a local restaurant, with Nancy describing Tucson as "wonderful" and praising its laid-back quality of life. "I like to watch the javelinas eat my plants," she joked, referring to the wild, pig-like animals that roam the area.

As the investigation continues, the Guthrie family's church community has rallied around them. St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church released a statement, as reported by CNN affiliate KTVB: "We are praying for mercy. We are praying for her safe return. We are praying for her family." The outpouring of support has been matched by the efforts of Savannah’s colleagues at NBC, who have used their platforms to share the sheriff’s tip line and urge anyone with information to come forward.

Despite the intensive search and the involvement of both local and federal authorities, as of Wednesday, February 4, 2026, there have been no significant breakthroughs. Law enforcement continues to treat Nancy’s home as a crime scene, and the investigation remains active and ongoing. The Guthrie family, meanwhile, waits anxiously for any word, clinging to hope amid the uncertainty.

For now, the desert winds carry not just memories of happier times, but also the collective prayers of a family and a community desperately seeking answers.