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Savannah Guthrie | Source: Getty Images
Savannah Guthrie | Source: Getty Images

'Today' Anchor Savannah Guthrie's Mother Disappeared — Police Reveal New Chilling Details

Milly Wanjiku Ndirangu
Feb 03, 2026
06:23 A.M.

Savannah Guthrie's family is facing a terrifying ordeal after her mother vanished from her Arizona home. Authorities now say this is no longer a search but a serious investigation.

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At first, it sounded like a worrying but familiar missing-persons case. Now, police say what happened to Savannah Guthrie's mother may be far more disturbing.

As hours turned into days, investigators began sharing details that shifted the story from concern to alarm and left even seasoned law enforcement shaken.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos speaks during a news conference addressing the investigation into a missing woman in Tucson, as posted on February 3, 2026 | Source: YouTube/CBSNews

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos speaks during a news conference addressing the investigation into a missing woman in Tucson, as posted on February 3, 2026 | Source: YouTube/CBSNews

Last Seen at Home

Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of the "Today" anchor, was reported missing from her home outside Tucson, Arizona. Authorities say she was last seen late Saturday night, inside what should have been the safety of her own bed.

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Savannah Guthrie poses with her mother during NBC's "Today" show broadcast from Sydney, Australia, on May 4, 2015 | Source: Getty Images

Savannah Guthrie poses with her mother during NBC's "Today" show broadcast from Sydney, Australia, on May 4, 2015 | Source: Getty Images

During a press conference on Sunday, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos made one point clear: this was not a case of confusion or memory loss. He said the Guthrie family told investigators Nancy does not suffer from dementia or any cognitive impairment.

"She's very alert, of good, sound mind — just some physical ailments that limit her ability to move around," Nanos said.

What is even more alarming is that Nancy was without life-saving medication at the time she disappeared. Authorities warned that missing those medications for more than 24 hours could be fatal.

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Savannah Guthrie appears with her mother during an episode of NBC's "Today" show on April 17, 2019 | Source: Getty Images

Savannah Guthrie appears with her mother during an episode of NBC's "Today" show on April 17, 2019 | Source: Getty Images

Investigation Takes a Dark Turn

As the search unfolded, troubling signs inside the home began to change everything. Nanos later confirmed that law enforcement no longer views this as a simple missing-persons case.

"We believe she was taken out of the home against her will, and that's how this investigation is moving," he said while speaking to Tom Llamas on NBC Nightly News, as reported by Today.

Sheriff Chris Nanos delivers remarks on developments in an ongoing criminal investigation, as posted on February 3, 2026 | Source: YouTube/CBSNews

Sheriff Chris Nanos delivers remarks on developments in an ongoing criminal investigation, as posted on February 3, 2026 | Source: YouTube/CBSNews

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The sheriff did not mince words about how unusual the situation is. "I can't think of the last time where [sic] in the middle of the night, in someone's bed, an 84-year-old woman disappeared on us," he said.

Law enforcement officials also said they believe Nancy was harmed when she was taken, deepening concerns that she may be the individual at the center of a serious incident.

Nanos said there were "other things at the scene," indicating Nancy did not leave voluntarily, though he declined to elaborate. He later emphasized that Nancy "could not walk 50 yards by herself."

Because of those findings, authorities shut down the search operation and shifted fully into official inquiry mode. "Right now, we don't see this as a search mission as much as we do a crime scene," Nanos said.

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Inside the Inquiry

Multiple teams responded, including homicide detectives, and foul play has not been ruled out. Despite the seriousness of the case, Nanos said he does not believe the public is in danger.

Investigators also confirmed they have Nancy's cell phone. She lived alone, though she had house staff, some of whom had been in contact with law enforcement.

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Family Scrambles for Answers

The family first realized something was wrong after receiving a call from someone at their local church saying Nancy never arrived. Relatives went to her home to search before contacting the police.

Nancy is described as five feet, five inches tall, weighing 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Her family last saw her at home between 9:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Saturday.

Savannah and Nancy Guthrie on NBC's "Today" show on June 15, 2023 | Source: Getty Images

Savannah and Nancy Guthrie on NBC's "Today" show on June 15, 2023 | Source: Getty Images

Savannah Speaks Out

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As the investigation intensified, Savannah — who traveled to Arizona to be with her family — broke her silence publicly for the first time. In a heartfelt message shared on Instagram, she asked for prayers.

"We believe in prayer. We believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope. We believe in goodness. We believe in humanity. Above all, we believe in Him," she wrote.

"Thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant. Raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment."

She ended the post with a plea and a verse. "We need you." Savannah also shared a line from Isaiah: "He will keep in perfect peace those whose hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord."

Savannah Guthrie appears on "Fox & Friends" during a visit to promote her book in New York City on February 27, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

Savannah Guthrie appears on "Fox & Friends" during a visit to promote her book in New York City on February 27, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

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A Case Gripping the Nation

In an earlier statement released on behalf of her family, Savannah thanked the public for its support and urged anyone with information to contact authorities. "Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom," she said.

As Nanos bluntly noted, "You don't typically get the sheriff out at a scene like this." For now, Nancy Guthrie's disappearance remains a haunting mystery — one police say points to something far more sinister than anyone first imagined.

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