Savannah Guthrie’s mother reported missing in Arizona as Olympics plans change
U.S. television host Savannah Guthrie is facing an urgent family crisis after authorities in Arizona reported her 84-year-old mother missing and said evidence at the home indicates a crime may have occurred. Investigators say Nancy Guthrie did not leave on her own, and the case has intensified quickly because she has limited mobility and needs daily medication.
The development has also forced immediate professional changes for Guthrie, who has been absent from her regular on-air role as the search continues and is now expected to step back from planned work around the 2026 Winter Olympics.
What authorities say happened
Sheriff’s officials in Pima County said Nancy Guthrie was last seen Saturday night at her home in the Tucson area. Investigators have emphasized that she could not have walked away from the residence without help and that they do not believe she left willingly. Law enforcement has described the home as a crime scene and has said the disappearance is being treated as a criminal investigation rather than a standard missing-person search.
Officials also stressed that Nancy Guthrie does not have cognitive impairment and is “as sharp as a tack,” pushing back on any assumption that she wandered off. The urgency is heightened by her medical needs: authorities say she requires daily medication and could be at serious risk if she goes without it.
Timeline of the disappearance
| Time (ET) | Event |
|---|---|
| Sat., Jan. 31, ~11:30 p.m. | Nancy Guthrie last seen at her home near Tucson (approx., based on local time reporting) |
| Sun., Feb. 1, ~2:00 p.m. | Family reports her missing to authorities (approx., based on local time reporting) |
| Mon., Feb. 2 | Sheriff says evidence indicates she did not leave on her own; case treated as a crime |
| Tue., Feb. 3 | Investigation continues; officials renew public calls for tips |
Officials have said the family became alarmed after Nancy Guthrie did not appear for church and could not be reached, prompting relatives to check the home and contact law enforcement.
Search activity shifts into an investigation
Initial efforts included aerial and ground resources such as a helicopter, drones, and search dogs. Authorities later signaled that the focus had shifted away from a broad area search and toward investigative steps tied to what they found at the home. Officials have said they are balancing transparency with protecting the integrity of the case and have declined to share certain details publicly.
Federal involvement has also been acknowledged: authorities said the FBI has been briefed, and additional support has been provided by other agencies in the region.
Investigators have not publicly confirmed a suspect, a motive, or whether Nancy Guthrie was specifically targeted. Officials have asked anyone with information—no matter how small—to contact law enforcement.
Guthrie’s statement and absence from air
Guthrie’s family released a statement thanking the public for support and stressing that their focus is on Nancy Guthrie’s safe return. The statement also thanked law enforcement and urged anyone with information to come forward.
Guthrie has not appeared in her usual on-air role since the disappearance became public. Colleagues opened the program with updates about the case, while noting that the family’s priority is the search and investigation.
Impact on Olympics coverage and upcoming work
The case is also rippling into Guthrie’s scheduled professional commitments. She had been expected to participate in coverage surrounding the 2026 Winter Olympics, which begin later this week in Italy. With the investigation unfolding in Arizona, she is now expected to skip that work as her family remains focused on the search and on supporting law enforcement efforts.
The timing is especially tight because Winter Olympics roles are typically locked well in advance and involve travel, rehearsals, and early arrival. A sudden change underscores the seriousness of the situation and the uncertainty around when the case may resolve.
What happens next
In the near term, attention is on two tracks: investigative progress and public safety. Authorities have emphasized that time matters because of Nancy Guthrie’s medical needs, and they have asked the public to stay alert for anything unusual—vehicles, visitors, or activity that could be relevant to Saturday night into early Sunday.
For viewers, the key point is that many details remain unclear, and officials have cautioned against drawing conclusions from incomplete information. The next meaningful updates will likely come from law enforcement briefings, court filings if any arrests occur, or confirmed sightings and tips that can be verified.
Sources consulted: Reuters; PBS NewsHour; ABC News; People
