Local law enforcement is speaking out after Savannah Guthrie‘s mom, Nancy Guthrie, was reported missing in Arizona.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos addressed reporters during a news conference on Sunday, February 1, after the 84-year-old was reported missing earlier that afternoon.
“This could be very concerning to us. We don’t typically get the sheriff out at a scene like this. However it’s very concerning what we’re learning from the home,” Nanos said. “And so we’ll just proceed. The detective’s homicide team is out immediately taking a look at the scene as well.”
Asked whether foul play was suspected, Nanos said that he was “not ruling it out.”
The sheriff further noted that there have been “some concerns” about what was found at Nancy’s home, which prompted authorities to call in search and rescue and criminal investigation teams. Volunteers on the bottom are helping to look, with drones, dogs and a helicopter also deployed.
“We’ve just about just thrown every little thing at this that we are able to,” Nanos added. “[Nancy] is 84 years old and isn’t of excellent physical health, and so naturally that’s an awesome concern.”
While Nanos identified that Nancy has a “sound mind,” there could also be other limitations along with her physical mobility. “We’ll be at this all night, processing the home,” he said.
A member of the family reportedly called 911 around 12 p.m. on Sunday to report Nancy missing. Savannah, 54, was noticeably absent from the Today show on Monday, February 2, as news continued to emerge about her family.
Sheinelle Jones as a substitute joined Craig Melvin, with the duo immediately addressing the “deeply personal story” during Monday’s broadcast. The pair read a press release from Savannah addressing her family’s situation.
“On behalf of our family, I need to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support. Immediately, our focus stays on the secure return of our dear mom,” the statement read. “We thank law enforcement for his or her exertions on this case and encourage anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.”
Savannah has continuously praised her mom, who even appeared as a guest star on a November 2025 episode of the Today show when the journalist returned to her hometown. Several months prior, Savannah shared a sweet throwback photo of herself and Nancy in honor of Mother’s Day.
“I like you, mama,” Savannah captioned the post in May 2025.
In 2022, Savannah reflected on her mother’s strength and support while speaking with cohost Jenna Bush Hager.
“My father died after I was entering my senior 12 months in highschool. I then lived at home all through college. We didn’t have money to afford the dorm. And that was thing one, but the opposite was that my sister and I actually felt like we must always keep on with my mom and never leave her alone,” Savannah said on the time. “But after I moved to Butte, Montana, this was it. And it was really hard for me to depart her.”
Savannah recalled how her mom “gave me permission” to depart. “She said, ‘When you can’t leave me, then I didn’t do my job right, Savannah,’” she continued. “She could have held onto me. … It’s not because she didn’t want me to remain. After all she wanted me to remain. But she’s like, ‘I’m not going to face in the way in which of your dreams.’”