Savannah Guthrie’s mother Nancy Guthrie missing in Arizona as case turns criminal
An urgent search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of television journalist Savannah Guthrie, has shifted into a criminal investigation in Pima County, Arizona, after authorities said they found “concerning” evidence at her home north of Tucson, Arizona. Investigators now describe the residence as a crime scene and say they do not believe she left on her own.
Officials emphasized that Nancy Guthrie has limited mobility and needs daily medication, raising immediate concern about her safety as the investigation moves from a broad search effort to evidence collection and lead tracking.
What happened and when
Authorities said Nancy Guthrie was last confirmed at her home late Saturday night. Family members contacted law enforcement the next day after she did not appear for a planned morning commitment and could not be reached.
| Timeline (ET) | What’s confirmed |
|---|---|
| Sat., Jan. 31, about 11:30 p.m. | Nancy Guthrie last known at her home (about 9:30 p.m. local time) |
| Sun., Feb. 1, early afternoon | Family reports her missing; deputies begin search and welfare-check response |
| Mon., Feb. 2, late morning | Sheriff says the home is being treated as a crime scene; investigation shifts toward potential foul play |
Investigators have not publicly named a suspect or released details about what, specifically, triggered the crime-scene designation.
Why authorities are treating it as a crime
Sheriff Chris Nanos said investigators observed circumstances at the home that were not consistent with a routine missing-person case. Officials said they believe Nancy Guthrie did not leave voluntarily, and they publicly rejected the idea that the disappearance is linked to dementia or confusion.
Authorities also said they have her cellphone and are reviewing available security-camera material from the home and nearby areas. Whether the case was targeted or opportunistic remained unclear Monday.
Search efforts and what’s changed
Deputies initially deployed a wide response that included search teams and specialized resources. Once evidence concerns emerged at the home, the operational focus shifted away from a purely geographic search and toward a criminal probe: preserving the scene, interviewing possible witnesses, and mapping last-known movements.
That transition often changes how information is shared. Investigators typically limit public details early to avoid compromising leads, and officials did not provide a public description of any physical evidence beyond calling it “concerning.”
What the public is being asked to do
Authorities are urging anyone in the area who noticed something unusual late Saturday night or early Sunday morning to contact local law enforcement. In cases like this, detectives often look for small, time-stamped observations that help narrow a timeline, such as unfamiliar vehicles, unexpected visitors, doorbell-camera clips, or unusual noises.
Officials have also asked residents and businesses with exterior security cameras to preserve recordings from the overnight window around Saturday into Sunday, even if they do not immediately see anything obvious.
Who is Savannah Guthrie
Savannah Guthrie is a longtime U.S. broadcast journalist and former attorney who has covered national politics and major legal stories for years. She grew up in the Tucson area, studied journalism at the University of Arizona, and later earned a law degree from Georgetown University. She has two children and has spoken publicly in the past about staying close to family.
In a statement shared Monday, she thanked people for their support and said her family’s focus remains on her mother’s safe return.
What happens next
The next phase hinges on three near-term steps: a fuller forensic processing of the home, a tighter reconstruction of the hours surrounding the last confirmed sighting, and a rapid triage of tips and video from the surrounding area. Officials have not announced an Amber-style alert or any broader emergency bulletin, but they have indicated “grave concern” for Nancy Guthrie’s welfare because of her health needs.
Until investigators release more detail, the central facts remain: an elderly woman with mobility limitations is missing, the home is being treated as a crime scene, and detectives are asking for community help to fill in gaps in the timeline.
Sources consulted: Reuters; Associated Press; ABC News; People
