Mysterious Disappearance of TV Host's Mother in Arizona
The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of prominent US television anchor Savannah Guthrie, has become a deeply concerning criminal investigation in Arizona. Authorities have confirmed discovering signs of forced entry at her residence near Tucson, leading them to believe she was taken against her will under highly suspicious circumstances.
Timeline of Events and Initial Findings
Ms Guthrie was last seen at approximately 9:30pm on Saturday evening after being dropped off at her home by family members following a dinner gathering. Living independently, she was reported missing the following morning when she failed to attend her regular church service. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos stated unequivocally that this does not appear to be a case of wandering off, emphasising that despite her limited mobility and need for daily medication, Ms Guthrie remains mentally sharp.
The sheriff issued a stark warning regarding her medical needs, stating: "If she's alive right now, her meds are vital. I can't stress that enough. It's been better than 24 hours, and the family tells us if she doesn't have those meds, it can become fatal." This urgent medical situation adds critical time pressure to the investigation.
Criminal Investigation Developments
What began as a search and rescue operation involving volunteers, Border Patrol agents, and homicide teams has now transitioned into a full criminal investigation. Law enforcement officials have gathered DNA samples from the property for analysis, though initial results have not yet identified potential suspects. A person familiar with the inquiry revealed to the Associated Press that evidence within the home suggests Ms Guthrie was kidnapped during the night.
Notably, several of her personal belongings including her mobile phone, wallet, and vehicle were left behind at the property. Investigators currently do not believe this was a robbery, home invasion, or kidnapping-for-ransom scheme, though several media organisations reported receiving apparent ransom notes earlier this week which they have handed over to authorities.
Police are actively reviewing surveillance footage from nearby homes and licence plate recognition cameras while analysing data from local phone towers in their search for leads.
Family Response and Public Appeals
Savannah Guthrie, co-host of NBC's Today show, alongside her siblings Annie and Cameron, released an emotional video appeal directed at their mother's captor. In the carefully worded message, they stated: "We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her."
The television anchor described her mother as having "unshakeable faith" and facing life's challenges with remarkable determination, adding: "Our mum is our heart and our home. She is 84 years old. Her health, her heart, is fragile. She lives in constant pain."
Former President Donald Trump responded to the situation on Truth Social, announcing he had spoken with Savannah Guthrie and was directing all federal law enforcement resources to assist local authorities in the search effort.
The investigation continues as authorities pursue multiple lines of inquiry in this troubling disappearance that has raised more questions than answers about what happened to the elderly woman in her Arizona home.
