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Investigation shifts to possible foul play in missing woman case
Police in Arizona have classified the home of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC News anchor Savannah Guthrie, as a crime scene, signaling concerns over her sudden disappearance.
Updated 02 February 2026 - Pima County Sheriff's Office confirms the case is now being handled as a potential criminal matter.
Timeline of events
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her residence outside Tucson on Saturday evening, shortly after 9:00 PM local time (04:00 GMT Sunday). Her family reported her missing the following day.
When authorities arrived, the condition of her home raised immediate alarms, according to Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos. He described the scene as causing "grave concern" but declined to provide further details.
Search efforts and official statements
An extensive search operation was launched, involving drones, aircraft, helicopters, thermal imaging, and infrared technology. Nanos stated that every available resource had been deployed, though the search was temporarily paused on Monday to allow investigators to pursue potential criminal leads.
"She did not leave on her own; we know that."
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos
Nanos confirmed that homicide detectives were called to the scene, a step he noted was not standard procedure in missing persons cases. He also acknowledged that foul play could not be ruled out but offered no additional specifics, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Family response and public appeal
The Guthrie family released a statement through NBC News, confirming Nancy Guthrie's disappearance and their collaboration with law enforcement. They described her as physically frail but mentally sharp, with no history of cognitive issues.
Savannah Guthrie, who co-anchors NBC's Today show, was absent from Monday's broadcast. Her colleagues shared a statement on her behalf, expressing gratitude for public support and emphasizing the family's focus on her mother's safe return.
"On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers, and messages of support. Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom."
Statement from Savannah Guthrie
Next steps
Sheriff Nanos urged anyone with information to contact authorities immediately. The investigation remains active, with no further details released at this time.
