It has been nearly two months since Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie, vanished from her Tucson, Arizona, home in what authorities are now calling an apparent kidnapping. As the weeks drag on without answers, Savannah Guthrie has broken her silence in a tearful and deeply personal interview, pleading for help and urging anyone with information to step forward. The story—which has gripped viewers nationwide—underscores not only a family’s private agony but also the wider challenges of missing persons cases and the complexities of high-profile investigations.
On March 25, Savannah Guthrie sat down with her longtime colleague Hoda Kotb for her first interview since her mother’s disappearance. The conversation, previewed on Wednesday and set to air in two parts on Thursday and Friday’s "Today" shows, offered a raw glimpse into the Guthrie family’s ongoing ordeal. "We are in agony. We are in agony. It is unbearable," Guthrie said, her voice breaking with emotion. "And to think of what she went through. I wake up every night in the middle of the night, every night, and in the darkness, I imagine her terror. And it is unthinkable, but those thoughts demand to be thought. And I will not hide my face. But she needs to come home now." (NBC News)
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the night of January 31, 2026, after having dinner at her daughter Annie’s home in the Catalina Foothills, north of Tucson. The following morning, she failed to attend a virtual church service—a red flag that prompted concerned family members to check on her. By February 1, Nancy had been reported missing, and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, soon joined by the FBI, launched an urgent investigation.
Authorities quickly classified the case as a possible kidnapping or abduction, citing clues that pointed to foul play. Video footage from Nancy’s doorbell camera—recovered after initial fears it was lost—showed a masked, armed individual tampering with the security system at 1:47 a.m. on February 1. The suspect, described by the FBI as a male between 5’9” and 5’10” with an average build, was wearing a black Ozark Trail Hiker Pack 25-liter backpack. Forensic testing later revealed that Nancy Guthrie’s blood was found on her porch, a chilling detail that underscored the gravity of the situation. (NBC News, The Hollywood Reporter)
Investigators also found gloves near the house, raising hopes that DNA evidence might help crack the case. However, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department revealed that DNA on the gloves was traced to a local restaurant worker who was not connected to the investigation, dashing one of the early leads. Authorities have not named any suspects or persons of interest, though a man was detained in the frantic early days and later released. (NPR, The Hollywood Reporter)
The Guthrie family has left no stone unturned in their quest for answers. They have offered a staggering $1 million reward for information leading to Nancy’s recovery—one of the largest private rewards in recent memory. The FBI has added a $100,000 reward and set up a dedicated hotline for tips. In an emotional Instagram video posted with her siblings, Savannah Guthrie pleaded, "Someone needs to do the right thing." She added, "We also know that she may be lost. She may already be gone. She may have already gone home to the Lord that she loves and is dancing in heaven with her mom and her dad, with her beloved brother, Pierce, and with our daddy." (The Hollywood Reporter)
As the investigation continues, authorities have urged the southern Arizona community to remain vigilant. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI have asked residents to review camera footage, journal notes, and text messages from the night of January 31 and the early morning hours of February 1, as well as from the late evening of January 11. They believe that someone in the region "holds the key to finding resolution in this case." (NBC News, CNN)
For the Guthrie family, the wait has been excruciating. In her interview, Savannah Guthrie described the "agony" of not knowing what happened to her mother. "I wake up every night in the middle of the night," she said, "and in the darkness, I imagine her terror." Her pain was evident as she recounted the family’s struggle to keep hope alive while bracing for the worst. (NPR, NBC News)
Faith has played a central role in helping the family endure. "We feel [the prayers], and we continue to believe that she feels them, too," Savannah said in a message shared with supporters. Friends and neighbors have left yellow flowers and handwritten notes outside Nancy’s home, a quiet testament to the community’s support. (NPR)
Technology has been both a help and a hindrance in the investigation. While doorbell camera footage provided a crucial glimpse of the suspect, the device was disabled during the break-in, limiting what could be captured. Investigators are now considering advanced forensic tools, including genetic genealogy, to analyze unknown DNA found inside the house. This method, which has helped solve cold cases in recent years, could be a game-changer if a match is found. (NBC News)
Amid the intense media attention, authorities have also had to contend with a wave of fundraising scams. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department warned the public on March 24 that no GoFundMe or other fundraising effort is associated with the case, urging people not to send money to anyone claiming otherwise. (NBC News)
As the search stretches into its eighth week, the Guthrie family and investigators are doubling down on their appeals. The family’s message is clear: they are desperate for closure, whether that means Nancy’s safe return or simply answers about her fate. "We desperately ask this community for renewed attention to our mom's case," the family said in a statement. (NBC News)
Savannah Guthrie, who has been on leave from the "Today" show since her mother’s disappearance, remains focused on supporting her family and helping to bring Nancy home. While she has visited the studio and plans to return to work soon, her priority is clear. As Hoda Kotb observed, "There is a desperation and also a steeliness about Savannah. She is hoping that somebody, whoever this person is, will see something and say something." (The Hollywood Reporter, NBC News)
For now, the Guthrie family—and the nation—waits. The yellow flowers outside Nancy’s home have begun to wilt, but the hope for answers endures. With a $1 million reward on the table, the eyes of the country are on Tucson, and the question remains: will someone come forward and do the right thing?