Authorities are deeply concerned that time may be running out for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Savannah Guthrie, who has now been missing for more than 48 hours. "It's a race against time, and I hope that window hasn't closed," Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told NBC's Liz Kreutz in a new interview for the Today show aired on Tuesday, February 3.
Authorities in Arizona are investigating the disappearance of the mother of three after her family reported her missing over the weekend. Police are still appealing to the public for help as they currently have no solid leads.
Sheriff Nanos said that authorities currently believe Nancy was "abducted," defining the term as: "When you're taken from your bed and you don't want to go somewhere, that's an abduction." The Pima County Sheriff Department later clarified to NBC News that Nanos meant his phrasing figuratively, adding that he "did not mean that she was literally taken from her bed."
Nancy was last seen around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 31 at her home near East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue. The Pima County Sheriff's Department later classified the home as a crime scene, citing what officials described as "very concerning" conditions.
Nanos told NBC, "We took some samples that we hope would have a DNA profile that gives us some identification as to what we're looking at."
Sheriff Nanos previously told reporters that Nancy has "no cognitive issues" and is "very alert, she's of good, sound mind." However, he also noted that Nancy is "not in good physical health." According to the sheriff, Nancy also depends on medication that could become life-threatening if she goes without it for more than 24 hours.
On Monday, February 2, the sheriff told reporters that investigators believe a crime occurred, describing the case as more of a "crime scene" than a "search mission," and saying authorities want the public's help. As part of the investigation, authorities are reviewing surveillance footage and license plate readers, along with coordinating searches. "We know she didn't just walk out of there," Nanos said at a press conference, adding that the department is asking for the public's help.
Savannah, 54, did not appear on the Today show on February 2 or 3 as she is currently with her family in Arizona amidst the investigation. On Monday night, the journalist took to Instagram urging her followers to "please pray." On Tuesday, co-host Carson Daly shared, "I hit my knees and prayed, and I don't think I've ever prayed for anything harder in my life." Craig Melvin urged the public, saying, "Again, we know someone out there knows something. Call."
Savannah released a statement to the Today show, which her colleagues read during the broadcast. "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 sheriff confirmed that the Guthrie family has been fully cooperative throughout the investigation and that the FBI is also assisting. The PCSD describes Nancy as a female with brown hair and blue eyes. She is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs around 150 lbs.
