Savannah Guthrie's Mom Was Reportedly Kidnapped 'In the Middle of the Night' from Her Home – What We Know So Far

A quiet Arizona neighborhood became the center of a chilling mystery this week as authorities revealed they are now treating the disappearance of an elderly woman connected to one of America's most familiar TV faces as a possible crime.

Investigators uncovered what they described as a deeply troubling and suspicious scene inside her home. The woman at the heart of the investigation is Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of "Today" co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, who vanished without a trace late Saturday night.

A Routine Morning That Turned Into a Nightmare

Authorities in Arizona say the case initially began as an urgent missing-person search after Nancy failed to appear at church on Sunday morning, February 1, 2026. Her friends immediately knew this was out of character.

By the time investigators arrived at her home outside Tucson, what they found quickly shifted the tone of the entire operation. Officials now say the scene raised serious red flags, prompting law enforcement to treat the home as a potential crime scene rather than a simple welfare check.

Savannah was notably absent from "Today" on Monday, as the investigation escalated. At the top of the broadcast, co-anchor Craig Melvin addressed viewers with visible gravity. He said, "We want to get right to what is a deeply personal story for us, Nancy Guthrie, Savannah's beloved mother, has been reported missing in Arizona."

Savannah Breaks Her Silence

As concern mounted nationwide, Savannah released a statement through "Today," thanking supporters while making it clear her family's focus remains singular.

"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. 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."

Investigators say Nancy was last seen late Saturday night, January 31, 2026, at her home in the Catalina Foothills area north of Tucson. Sheriff Chris Nanos said family members dropped her off around 9:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. What troubles officials most is what they believe happened next.

"We believe she was taken out of the home against her will, and that's how this investigation is moving," Nanos told NBC Nightly News.

He added, "I can't think of the last time where in the middle of the night in someone's bed, an 84-year-old woman disappeared on us."

In another interview, Nanos was even more direct. "We believe 100% right now she could not have walked away from that home. I believe she was abducted. Yes, she didn't walk from there. She didn't go willingly. We don't believe that."

When Nancy's friend noticed her absence at the church and contacted one of her adult children, family members immediately rushed to her home.

They searched the house and the surrounding property for nearly an hour, then called 911 around noon when they realized something was terribly wrong.

A Massive Search, Then a Disturbing Shift

What followed was an all-hands response from law enforcement. Deputies deployed airplanes, drones, helicopters, and specially trained dogs in the frantic search. But from the moment officers stepped inside the home, Sheriff Nanos said something felt off.

"We get these calls quite often, and we do a good job of searching the area," he said. "But, this one stood out because of what was described to us at the scene and what we found and located just in looking at the scene."

During a press conference, Nanos emphasized the seriousness of their findings. "We saw some things at the home that were concerning to us."

Despite mounting questions, officials have refused to disclose exactly what was discovered inside the home. "There's things that only the intruder would know. And so, we need to kind of keep that protected," Nanos said, stressing the need to preserve the integrity of the investigation.

Health Risks Raise Urgency

Authorities say Nancy suffers from physical limitations and requires daily medication — medication that could become fatal if missed.

"This is an 84-year-old lady who suffers from some physical ailments, has some physical challenges, is in need of medication — medication that, if she doesn't have in 24 hours, it could be fatal," Nanos warned.

In another urgent plea, he said, "Look, if she's alive right now, her meds are vital. I can't stress that enough." He emphasized that she has no cognitive issues, describing her as "very alert" and "of good, sound mind," but said she "could not walk 50 yards by herself."

Investigators are now urging anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward. Nancy is described as having brown hair and blue eyes, standing 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing about 150 pounds.

Authorities ask the public to call the Pima County Sheriff's Department at 520-351-4900, submit photos or video, or provide tips through the department's Tip Line QR code. The authorities stated, "Every detail matters. Even small tips could make a difference."

Savannah's Absence and a Family's Plea

Authorities confirmed Savannah is in Arizona and fully cooperating with investigators. She also took to Instagram, sharing a faith-filled message and a simple, heartbreaking plea, "Bring her home."

In a 2023 interview, Savannah spoke openly about her closeness with her mother after her father died while she was in high school. She recalled her mother encouraging her to take her first job in Butte, Montana, telling her, "If you can't leave me, then I didn't do my job right, Savannah."

As of now, investigators say Nancy vanished sometime after returning home Saturday night. What began as a missing-person search has evolved into a full criminal investigation, fueled by troubling evidence found at the scene.

Authorities continue to plead for help as Savannah Guthrie and her family wait for answers, and hope for one outcome above all else: the safe return of Nancy Guthrie.