In a chilling update, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has revealed that the search for Savannah Guthrie's 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, has escalated into a major investigation with "hundreds of leads" being pursued, as authorities now believe she was "forcibly removed" from her Tucson home. The case, now over two days old, has drawn in the FBI, with Sheriff Nanos stating at a Tuesday press briefing: "We believe Nancy was forcibly removed from her residence, and that's our current focus."
The FBI's involvement marks a critical turn in the investigation. Jon Edwards, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's Tucson office, joined Nanos to detail how the agency is providing "analytical and technical assistance," including extracting cell phone data, analyzing cell tower records, conducting interviews, and deploying additional resources. "We're exploring every possibility, but public assistance is crucial," Edwards emphasized. "Every clue and tip matters. We're actively investigating each one."
Savannah and Nancy Guthrie on 'Today' on May 4, 2015. Don Arnold/WireImage
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home near East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue on Saturday evening. The alarm was raised when a church friend informed Savannah and her siblings, Cameron and Annie, that their mother had missed Sunday morning service. After a fruitless search of her property, the family contacted authorities, leading to the home being declared a crime scene due to "very concerning" circumstances. Nanos confirmed that crime scene processing is complete, and the house has been returned to the family, but he withheld details such as signs of forced entry or Nancy's attire at the time of disappearance.
The emotional toll on the Guthrie family is palpable. Savannah Guthrie has skipped her 'Today' show appearances on Monday and Tuesday, taking to social media to plead for prayers: "We have faith in prayer. We believe in unified voices of love and hope. We trust in goodness and humanity. Most of all, we believe in Him." Her co-anchors have rallied in support, with Carson Daly sharing, "I knelt and prayed, and I've never prayed more intensely in my life," and Craig Melvin urging anyone with information to come forward: "Again, we know someone out there has knowledge. Please call."
Savannah Guthrie attends the 'Mostly What God Does' book presentation on Feb. 21, 2024. Jamie McCarthy/Getty
As the investigation intensifies, Sheriff Nanos announced that the next update will be on Thursday, "unless something develops" sooner. He underscored the urgency: "We have significant work ahead. We have a duty to fulfill, and someone's life is at risk." Authorities are urging the public to come forward with any information, no matter how small, to help locate Nancy Guthrie. Those with tips should contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.
Stay tuned for breaking updates on this developing story and other entertainment news via our .
