TUCSON, Ariz. – Authorities in Arizona confirmed late Sunday that they are searching for the mother of NBC “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie, saying that a crime has been committed.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen Saturday evening at her residence near East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue, north of Tucson, around 9:30 p.m., according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
A relative of Guthrie’s contacted authorities around noon Sunday to report her missing, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said.
“We’re pretty much just throwing everything at this that we can. Guthrie is 84 years old and is not of good physical health, and so naturally that’s a great concern,” Nanos told reporters later Sunday, adding that the scene at the house raised “some concerns for us as well.”
“This is very concerning to us. We don’t typically get the sheriff out at a scene like this. But it’s very concerning what we’re learning from the house,” Nanos said. “And so we’ll just continue. The detective’s homicide team is out right now looking at the scene as well.”
During a news conference on Monday, Nanos said Nancy Guthrie’s house is a crime scene and that she didn’t leave on her own.
“We believe now, after we processed that crime scene, that we do, in fact, have a crime scene that we do, in fact, have a crime,” Nanos said. “She did not leave on her own. We know that.”
While there was a search and rescue mission for Nancy Guthrie, Nanos said that has been shut down, saying: “We don’t see this as a search mission as much as we do a crime scene.”
Nanos confirmed the woman is Savannah Guthrie’s mother. He said she is of “good sound mind” but has physical ailments that limit her mobility. Nanos added that someone from Nancy Guthrie’s church called family members on Sunday morning to report she didn’t show up. Nancy Guthrie’s family went to her house and spent “some time” looking for her before calling 911, the sheriff said.
Authorities are using helicopters, infrared cameras and drones in the search for the missing 84-year-old. The sheriff has also enlisted help from Customs and Border Protection, NBC’s Tom Winter reported.
Savannah Guthrie released a statement to NBC’s “Today” on Monday morning.
“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,” the statement said.
