Savannah Guthrie’s mother Nancy Guthrie reported missing in Arizona
A missing-person search is underway in southern Arizona after authorities said an 84-year-old woman identified as Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, was last seen late Saturday night. The case has drawn heightened attention because investigators say they are not ruling out foul play, while search-and-rescue teams work against the clock to locate her.
Officials said the report came in Sunday and that specialized investigators were added to the response as the search expanded.
What authorities say happened
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said Nancy Guthrie was last seen in the Catalina Foothills area on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at about 11:45 p.m. ET.
Sheriff Chris Nanos said a family member reported her missing on Sunday, February 1, at around 2:00 p.m. ET. Search-and-rescue crews were deployed, and investigators from homicide and detective units also responded as part of the overall effort.
Authorities emphasized the operation is being treated as a search-and-rescue mission, while also noting that foul play has not been ruled out.
Who Nancy Guthrie is
Savannah Guthrie is a prominent broadcast journalist and morning television co-anchor. The public profile of her family is generally limited, but she has spoken warmly in past years about her mother and the closeness of their relationship.
In the current case, officials have shared only basic identifying details and have not released information that would explain why additional investigators were brought in beyond stating that the response required broader resources.
Description and key details released so far
Authorities described Nancy Guthrie as 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing about 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Deputies categorized her as a missing vulnerable adult due to her age.
The sheriff also said her family described her as having some physical ailments, but no cognitive issues. Officials have not said what she was wearing when last seen, and they have not provided a known destination or confirmed direction of travel.
Timeline of the case
| Milestone | Date and time (ET) | What’s known |
|---|---|---|
| Last seen | Sat., Jan. 31, 11:45 p.m. | Seen in Catalina Foothills area |
| Missing report made | Sun., Feb. 1, ~2:00 p.m. | Family member contacted authorities |
| Search escalated | Sun., Feb. 1 | Search-and-rescue deployed; detectives added |
| Current status | Mon., Feb. 2 (early ET) | Search ongoing; foul play not ruled out |
How missing-person searches typically progress
In cases involving older adults, early hours often focus on establishing a precise last-known location, canvassing nearby areas, checking possible routes, and verifying recent contacts. When officials describe a person as “vulnerable,” that classification can trigger faster deployment of resources—additional personnel, specialized search strategies, and broader coordination.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether surveillance footage, phone data, or vehicle information is relevant here. They also have not said whether the search has expanded beyond the immediate Catalina Foothills area, though the involvement of multiple units suggests a wider investigative posture.
What happens next
The next updates will likely revolve around three practical questions: whether there are confirmed sightings after Saturday night, whether investigators identify a clear direction of travel, and whether any evidence shifts the case toward a more defined criminal inquiry.
For the public, authorities are asking anyone with information to contact emergency services. Officials have not released a public-facing hotline number in the briefing details summarized so far, but they have urged people to call 911 with immediate tips.
Sources consulted: Pima County Sheriff’s Department, ABC News, ABC15 Arizona, Entertainment Weekly
