Arizona authorities say they believe the mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie was abducted from her home while she slept, marking a troubling turn in what investigators now describe as a criminal case.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing Saturday night from her home in the Catalina Foothills area north of Tucson. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said Monday that evidence at the scene indicates she did not leave voluntarily.
“I believe she was abducted, yes,” Nanos told CBS News. “She didn’t walk from there. She didn’t go willingly.”
Sheriff’s officials confirmed earlier Monday that the disappearance is being treated as a crime after investigators processed the home and identified what they described as suspicious circumstances. Authorities have not released specific details, citing the active investigation.
“We saw some things at the home that were concerning to us,” Nanos said. “We believe now after we’ve processed that crime scene that we do in fact have a crime scene, that we do in fact have a crime, and we’re asking the community’s help.”
Nancy Guthrie lives alone and has limited mobility, according to investigators and family members. Nanos said she could not have traveled far on her own and emphasized that she is mentally sharp, dispelling concerns that the disappearance could be related to dementia or confusion.
“This is not a dementia-related issue,” Nanos said. “She is of great sound mind. She is as sharp as a tack. The family wants everybody to know this isn’t somebody who just wandered off.”
Authorities said Guthrie was last seen at her home around 9:30 p.m. Saturday. When she failed to attend church the following morning, family members went to her residence and called 911.
Investigators noted that Guthrie requires daily medication and has now been missing for more than 24 hours.
“The clock is literally ticking,” Nanos said. “It’s been more than 24 hours since she disappeared.”
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has distributed a missing person flier describing Guthrie as 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing approximately 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Officials urged anyone who believes they may have seen her to take a photo or video and contact authorities immediately.
Search-and-rescue teams initially deployed drones, helicopters, and heat-sensing equipment overnight, but those efforts have since been scaled back as the investigation shifted fully to a criminal probe.
“Right now we don’t see this as a search mission so much as we do a crime scene,” Nanos said.
Investigators are reviewing home security footage, analyzing Guthrie’s cellphone, and checking license-plate readers and nearby surveillance cameras. Neighbors are being asked to review their own security footage, even if cameras do not directly face the Guthrie residence.
“They still might see something,” Nanos said. “Maybe it’s somebody walking by. Maybe it’s some vehicle driving by at that time of day.”
The FBI is assisting local authorities, according to sources familiar with the investigation.
Nanos said there is no immediate indication that Guthrie was targeted because of her daughter’s public profile, but investigators are not ruling that out.
“We can’t dismiss that,” he said. “We will certainly look at that.”
Savannah Guthrie released a statement Monday thanking the public for its support and urging anyone with information to come forward.
“Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom,” she said.
Authorities said they do not believe there is an active threat to the broader public. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department Tip Line.
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