What happened to Savannah Guthrie’s mother: Nancy Guthrie last-seen details, Tucson search updates, and the Pima County briefing

The search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of television anchor Savannah Guthrie, widened across the Tucson area this week as investigators shifted from an initial welfare concern to what officials describe as an apparent abduction. The case has drawn intense public attention because investigators say Nancy Guthrie has limited mobility and needs daily medication that could become life-threatening if missed.

Savannah Guthrie’s mother: last-seen timeline

Investigators say Nancy Guthrie was last known to be at her home in the Catalina Foothills area north of Tucson late Saturday, January 31, 2026. During a briefing earlier this week, the sheriff said she was dropped off at home at about 11:30 p.m. ET Saturday.

By late Sunday morning, concern escalated when a church friend discovered she was not where she was expected to be. Investigators said the family reported her missing around 2:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 1, after she failed to appear for church.

Since then, officials have emphasized a consistent point: the available evidence suggests she did not leave voluntarily. Investigators have also said several personal items, including her phone, wallet, and car, were still at the home after she disappeared—details that helped shape the working theory of a nighttime abduction.

What investigators say about the home scene

Authorities have described “concerning” findings at the residence and have treated the location as a crime scene. Investigators have processed the house for potential evidence such as fingerprints, DNA, and any available camera imagery from the area.

Two developments have been central to public updates:

• Investigators have examined indications consistent with forced entry at the home.

• Officials have said DNA recovered from the scene has been submitted for analysis, with results so far not pointing to a named suspect.

Officials have been cautious about releasing specifics that could compromise leads, including details about what was found and what may have been taken.

Tucson search updates and investigative focus

The search effort has combined ground work and investigative tracing, including follow-up on tips and neighborhood canvassing. Authorities have indicated they are pursuing a large volume of leads while also trying to reconstruct the hours around Saturday night.

Federal support has also been involved, with agents assisting on technical and analytical work that can include digital forensics and interview support. Investigators have repeatedly asked the public to share any relevant information tied to late January 31 into early February 1, especially anything unusual near the Catalina Foothills area.

Meanwhile, the family has continued public appeals for help and prayers, emphasizing urgency tied to Nancy Guthrie’s medication needs. In one message, the family also referenced public talk of a ransom note and stressed the need for proof-of-life before any discussions could proceed.

The Pima County briefing: what to expect

A scheduled Pima County update is set for Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET. The sheriff’s earlier remarks suggest the briefing will focus on investigative progress rather than granular evidence.

Based on the week’s messaging, the briefing is likely to address:

• Whether officials have narrowed the timeline beyond “Saturday night into early Sunday”

• What categories of tips are proving most actionable

• Whether investigators have identified a person of interest

• How the public can assist without flooding tip lines with duplicates

Authorities have avoided confirming certain specifics in prior Q&A, including ransom-related questions and other details that could be tied to negotiation or tactical decision-making.

What remains unknown right now

Despite the intense attention, key questions remain unresolved. Authorities have not publicly identified a suspect or confirmed a motive, and they have not said whether the disappearance appears targeted or random. Officials also have not publicly confirmed where Nancy Guthrie may have been taken or what mode of transport may have been used.

The case’s urgency is underscored by the medication concern, which investigators have described as potentially fatal if interrupted long enough. That medical factor has shaped both the public appeals and the speed of the investigative posture.

Sources consulted: Associated Press, ABC News, CBS News, AZPM News