Nancy Guthrie was last seen Saturday around 9:45 p.m. and was reported missing after failing to show up for church Sunday. Photo courtesy Pima County Sheriff’s Department
Law enforcement officials in Arizona said Wednesday they have not identified a suspect as they enter the fourth day searching for Nancy Guthrie, the missing 84-year-old mother of Today host Savannah Guthrie.
In a statement posted to X early Wednesday, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said investigators also haven’t identified any people of interest in the case. Officials believe Nancy Guthrie was kidnapped from her Tucson-area home in the early hours of Sunday. She was was last seen around 9:45 p.m. MST Saturday and was reported missing after she failed to attend church the next day.
“Detectives continue to speak with anyone who may have had contact with Mrs. Guthrie,” Nanos said in the statement.
“Detectives are working closely with the Guthrie family. While we appreciate the public’s concern, the sharing of unverified accusations or false information is irresponsible and does not assist the investigation.”
NBC News reported that the FBI joined about 100 detectives from the Pima County Sheriff’s Office in the search for Nancy Guthrie. President Donald Trump committed to sending additional federal agents to participate in the investigation.
Federal officials were assisting by analyzing cellphone data and cell towers in the area. Investigators said there was a technical problem with the surveillance cameras at Nancy Guthrie’s home and they were trying to determine if neighbors had any footage of her abduction on their cameras.
Three media outlets reported they received ransom notes asking for millions of dollars in cryptocurrency for Nancy Guthrie’s safe return. TMZ said the note it received mentioned a specific item damaged at the woman’s home. KOLD-TV in Tucson said it forwarded the email it received to the sheriff’s office and KGUN-TV, also in Tucson, said the note it received threatened to kill Nancy Guthrie.
The sheriff’s department said it was aware of the alleged ransom notes and that it’s investigating their validity.
Nanos said that while Nancy Guthrie does have difficulties with mobility — making it unlikely she wandered off by herself — she does not have any mental or memory issues that may explain her disappearance. Her family said she is without medication she requires to live.
Investigators said Nancy Guthrie has a pacemaker that last connected with her iPhone around 2 a.m. Sunday. The phone was left behind at her home, CNN reported.
Savannah Guthrie issued a statement thanking supporters.
“Thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant,” she said. “Raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment.”
This week in Washington
President Donald Trump signs a bill to end the partial government shutdown. Earlier, the House passed the spending bill, ending the four-day shutdown sparked by Democrats’ opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement policies and funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo
