Nancy Guthrie's Neighbors Reveal a Strange Thing – Say Police Ignored Their Call Days Before Her Disappearance

A quiet Arizona street, a vanished elderly woman, and whispers neighbors say went nowhere. Days before she disappeared, strangers lingered, alarms rang, and calls were made. Now, with time slipping away, residents are left wondering whether a chilling warning was ignored when help could have come.

Neighbors of Nancy Guthrie say they reported unusual activity near her home days and weeks before the 84-year-old disappeared, raising unsettling questions about whether early warning signs were missed. The normally calm neighborhood has since become a place of unease and second-guessing.

Nancy, the mother of "Today" show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was last seen Saturday night at her home in the Tucson area of Arizona. She was reported missing the following day.

Since then, neighbors have come forward with accounts of suspicious activity that they say was reported to police before her disappearance, details that now feel far more ominous in hindsight.

A Mysterious Van That Set off Alarm Bells

One neighbor, Brett McIntire, said he contacted police after noticing a white van parked on the street near Nancy's home. Brett, who lives across from her, said the van stood out because it had no markings, something he found deeply unusual for the area.

"It was somewhere on that street. It was a white van, full-sized, with no printing on the sides. It was parked on the street," Brett said.

He explained that the vehicle did not appear typical for the neighborhood, where work vehicles are usually clearly labeled. "Normally people that are coming to work on your home will have a company vehicle or if they're independent something written on it," he added, describing why the sight left him uneasy.

Brett said police asked him basic questions about what he saw, though he could not recall the exact day the van appeared. He said the incident has made him more alert, a vigilance that now feels tragically overdue.

His wife, Lisa McIntire, said the situation has prompted them to consider additional security. "Brett and I were talking. And we thought well, we should probably get one," she said, referring to security cameras.

Another Disturbing Encounter Close to Home

In a separate incident, police were called earlier this year after a suspicious man was seen in a yard less than 10 minutes from Nancy's home.

An elderly homeowner said a light "spooked" the visitor, who then ran off on foot before anyone could get a clear look at his face.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department later confirmed that the report was forwarded to investigators handling Nancy Guthrie's case for possible leads. Neighbors described the area as quiet and said such incidents were rare, making the activity stand out in the days before Nancy went missing.

Helicopters Swarm as Quiet Street Erupts Into Chaos

As the investigation expanded, neighbors said the sudden surge of police activity underscored just how serious the situation had become. What had once been a peaceful Arizona enclave was suddenly filled with flashing lights, circling aircraft, and a growing sense of dread.

Brett said he first realized something was terribly wrong early Sunday morning. He explained that he left his home around 6:45 a.m. to attend church and did not notice anything unusual at the time.

But when he returned later that morning, the atmosphere had shifted dramatically. "Pretty quickly, I saw the helicopters flying," Brett recalled.

Authorities Fear She Was Taken Against Her Will

Authorities have said they believe Nancy was taken against her will during the early morning hours of Sunday, after being dropped off safely at home the night before. Officials have acknowledged that they currently have no suspects and no confirmed motive.

The lack of answers has prompted outside experts to speculate about how the disappearance may have unfolded. Retired police chief Mike Jones told The U.S. Sun that he believes more than one person may have been involved. "It's going to take more than one of the suspects to take an 84-year-old woman out," Mike said.

He explained that the concern was not resistance, but fear and limited mobility. "She's probably having a very difficult time walking, getting in a car, and she's probably crying and she's probably fearful," Mike said, painting a harrowing picture of the possible moments before she vanished.

Mike also suggested the person or people involved may have tried to avoid detection. He said Nancy could have been gagged to keep her quiet because of nearby homes and security cameras, and speculated that someone may have been driving around the area beforehand to observe her routine.

A Community Reeling as Disturbing Details Emerge

While investigators continue their work, neighbors have described a community in disbelief. Jeff Lamie, who lives nearby, said the news left residents stunned. "We're in shock," Jeff, 59, told People. "This is really shocking. We just hope that she returns safely."

Jeff said Nancy was well known in the area and active in her daily life, noting that the church was especially important to her. He said she was reported missing after failing to attend services.

Others echoed the same unease. Laura Gargano, a board member of the local neighborhood association, said the heavy police presence was deeply unsettling in an area known for its safety.

"People move to this neighborhood because it's always considered one of the best ones to live in," Laura said. "This has been a sort of beautiful mecca for people."

FBI Steps in After Fake Ransom Text Shocks Family

Amid the search, authorities also addressed a disturbing and unrelated development involving a false ransom message. The FBI arrested a Los Angeles County man accused of sending a fake ransom text to Nancy's family.

Investigators said Derrick Callella allegedly sent a message demanding bitcoin shortly after Nancy's children shared a public plea for their mother's return. The FBI said Derrick admitted to sending the text after finding the family's contact information online.

"The two text messages have not been linked to the February 2, 2026, ransom demand," the FBI stated in the criminal complaint.

Heith Janke, special agent in charge of the FBI's Phoenix office, issued a stern warning. "To those impostors who are trying to take advantage and profit from this situation – we will investigate and ensure you are held accountable for your actions," he said.

As investigators continue searching for answers, neighbors say the unanswered questions have left the community on edge, clinging to one desperate hope that Nancy Guthrie is found alive and brought home safely.