BREAKING: Arizona County Sheriff expresses confidence that Savannah Guthrie’s mother is still alive, stating, “Our goal is to bring her to safety….”

Nancy Guthrie has been missing since Sunday as local authorities and the FBI head into the fourth day of the search, investigating “hundreds of leads.”

February 4, 2026 8:50am

Mom Nancy with Savannah Guthrie on NBC’s ‘Today’ show in 2019. Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

As the search for Savannah Guthrie‘s missing mother, Nancy, enters its fourth day, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos remains hopeful that the 84-year-old, who disappeared over the weekend and who authorities believe was abducted, is still alive.

“We have nothing else to go on but the belief that she is here,” Nanos said in an interview with NBC News’ Liz Kreutz that aired on Today on Wednesday. “She’s present. She’s alive, and we want to save her.”

He added, as the FBI said Tuesday that it was investigating “hundreds of leads,” that those leads “are critical to us.”

Despite reports circulating Wednesday morning that Nancy Guthrie’s son-in-law had been identified as a possible suspect, Nanos quickly shot that down on Wednesday as well.

“At this point, investigators have not identified a suspect or person of interest in this case,” Nanos said in a statement posted to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department’s Facebook page. “Detectives continue to speak with anyone who may have had contact with Mrs. Guthrie. Detectives are working closely with the Guthrie family. While we appreciate the public’s concern, the sharing of unverified accusations or false information is irresponsible and does not assist the investigation. No suspect or person of interest has been identified at this time.”

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, President Donald Trump weighed in on the disappearance from the Oval Office, offering federal assistance on the search and calling the situation “terrible.”

“I always got along very good with Savannah,” he added.

On Wednesday, NBC News’ Tom Llamas confirmed that Trump had called and spoken to Savannah Guthrie, “offering words of support for her and her family,” as Llamas put it.

As they continue their search, authorities are also reportedly attempting to access data from Nancy Guthrie’s pacemaker, which reportedly stopped syncing with her Apple devices around 2 a.m. on Sunday. The elder Guthrie’s cellphone and car were left behind at her home.

Also on Tuesday, the Sheriff’s department acknowledged the reporting of a ransom note, obtained by TMZ and at least two local news outlets in Arizona. Nanos wouldn’t discuss specifics about a ransom note but said investigators are “following all leads.”

“We’re following all leads we have. We’ve got hundreds of leads, and it’s from you that we produced those leads,” Nanos told reporters after Monday urging people to reach out with any information. “We are sharing all of our leads with the FBI; they are helping us in evaluating them.”

During that presser, Nanos was asked if investigators believe they are looking for someone who’s still alive, he said, “We hope we are.” Meanwhile, he said unless something breaks in the case, a press conference will be held “every couple of days.”

All evidence has been gathered from Nancy Guthrie’s home, and investigators are working with companies that manufacture the security cameras around the property to obtain the footage.

“We have submitted all kinds of samples for DNA, and we’ve gotten some back, but nothing to indicate any suspects,” Nanos said Tuesday.

Nancy Guthrie was reported missing over the weekend and the Sheriff’s Department on Monday said it was being treated as a crime scene, and that the elder Guthrie was likely taken against her will in a “possible kidnapping or abduction.”

Meanwhile, Savannah Guthrie has pulled out of NBC’s Winter Olympics coverage in Milan starting Friday as she focuses on being with her family and urges prayers. (NBC later named Mary Carillo as her replacement.)

Though Nancy Guthrie is of sound mind she’s said to have mobility issues and is reportedly without her daily medications leaving her vulnerable to life-threatening issues if not taken every 24 hours.

Feb. 4, 11:30 a.m. This story has been updated with Trump calling and offering his support for Guthrie.