Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen on Jan. 31 in her home outside Tucson, which is now considered a crime scene, police said.
Officials are continuing to investigate the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie. Law enforcement believe the 84-year-old was taken from her home against her will in a “possible kidnapping or abduction” before her family reported her missing from her Arizona residence the following day.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the night of Jan. 31 at her home outside Tucson and was reported missing at noon on Feb. 1 by her family, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said at a news conference on Feb. 2.
“We believe she was taken out of the home against her will, and that’s how this investigation is moving,” he said on NBC Nightly News on Feb. 2.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 3, Nanos shared the update that DNA samples taken from Nancy Guthrie’s home have not resulted in anything “indicating the suspect.” He also noted that police have processed the evidence found there.
“The scene is done,” he said. “We’re done with the residence.”
A Feb. 3 press release from the sheriff’s office stated that DNA samples from the home are confirmed to belong to Nancy Guthrie, but the sheriff has not confirmed if those samples were blood.
Nanos did not have any information on what type of clothing Nancy Guthrie may have been wearing at the time of a potential abduction or if she is still in the Tucson area.
“We don’t know where she is,” he said.
Nanos was asked about any possible ransom demands being made.
“We are following all leads we have, that’s all I can tell you,” he said. “We’ve gotten hundreds of leads.”
Late Tuesday, two reports of ransom notes were sent to news organizations referencing Nancy Guthrie, copies of which NBC News has not seen and which so far no law enforcement agency has substantiated. Law enforcement, however, say they are investigating them.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement posted on X, “We are aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s) regarding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie.”
They added that they are “taking all tips and leads very seriously” and anything that they receive is shared with their detectives who are coordinating with the FBI.
Jon Edwards, the assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s Tucson office, said at the press conference on Feb. 3 that the bureau is assisting on the case by downloading and analyzing cell phone data and cell phone tower information, conducting interviews and providing investigative support. Anyone with tips can contact them at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
In an earlier news briefing on Feb. 2, Nanos called the search for Nancy Guthrie “a race against time” and said he hopes “that window hasn’t closed” as the investigation entered the third day since her disappearance.
Savannah with her mom, Nancy, on TODAY in 2023.Nathan Congleton / TODAY
Nancy Guthrie does not have cognitive issues, Nanos said at the Feb. 2 briefing, but has physical challenges and is in need of medication that can be fatal if not received within 24 hours.
“She is very limited in her mobility, we know she didn’t just walk out of there,” Nanos said. “There were other things at the scene that indicate that she did not leave on her own.”
Nanos added that Nancy Guthrie “could not walk 50 yards by herself.”
Savannah, whom Nanos said is now in Arizona, issued a statement on Feb. 2 on behalf of their family.
“On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support,” she said. “Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom. We thank law enforcement for their hard work on this case and encourage anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at (520) 351-4900.”
She also shared an Instagram post Feb. 2 in which she asked for people to pray for her mother’s return.
Her family told police they were alerted to her disappearance when they received a call from someone at their local church saying Nancy Guthrie was not there. The family then went to her house and searched for her before calling police.
Authorities are in possession of Nancy Guthrie’s cell phone, according to Nanos. She lives alone and had house staff, some of whom have been in touch with law enforcement, according to the sheriff.
Police do not know if Nancy Guthrie was targeted because she is Savannah’s mother and are not aware of threats aimed at Savannah after speaking with her, Nanos said.
Nanos added that he does not believe the public is in any danger.
Nancy Guthrie is described as 5 feet, 5 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Her family last saw her at home around 9:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. on Jan. 31, Nanos said.
Officials had been searching using drones, a helicopter, an airplane, search-and-rescue dogs and volunteers before the search was called off on Feb. 2 due to police viewing her disappearance as a crime investigation.
Savannah has often described her close relationship with her mother. Her father, Charles, died when she was 16 years old, leaving Nancy as a single mother of Savannah and her two siblings.
