Federal authorities are assisting local law enforcement in the search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC “Today” show anchor Savannah Guthrie, who was reported missing from her Tucson, Arizona home late Saturday night. The FBI has confirmed it is aware of the case and is monitoring developments as the investigation continues.
According to NBC News, investigators expressed heightened concern based on evidence discovered early in the inquiry, though specific details have not been publicly disclosed. NBC News crime analyst Tom Winter said authorities are intentionally withholding certain information to protect the integrity of the investigation and avoid compromising ongoing search efforts.
Savannah Guthrie did not appear on the “Today” show Monday but released a statement thanking the public for their support and urging anyone with information to contact local authorities. She emphasized that her family’s primary focus remains on ensuring her mother’s safe return and expressed gratitude for the work of law enforcement agencies involved in the search.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen around 9:45 p.m. Saturday in the Catalina Foothills area of Tucson. Local sheriff’s deputies have deployed drones and aircraft in the search, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection has joined the effort due to the region’s proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border. Authorities said there were no known signs of cognitive impairment at the time of her disappearance.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos stated that the case is currently being treated as a search-and-rescue operation, though investigators have not ruled out other possibilities. Members of the “Today” show expressed concern for their colleague and her family, noting the case has deeply affected the newsroom as the search continues.