What happened to Nancy Guthrie?
Investigators believe the 84-year-old was taken from her Tucson home late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said evidence found inside the home led authorities to treat her disappearance as a criminal investigation, not a missing-person search.
Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC Today host Savannah Guthrie, is shown in this undated photo provided by the Pima County Sheriff's Department. Deputies and volunteers have been searching for her since about noon Sunday.
Why do authorities believe this was a crime?
Nanos said investigators found “very concerning” evidence inside the home and believe Guthrie did not leave on her own. He cited her limited mobility and said she could not walk far by herself. Investigators also believe she was driven away in a vehicle, though they have not identified one.
Was Nancy Guthrie harmed?
The sheriff has declined to confirm or deny whether Guthrie was physically harmed during the incident, despite earlier remarks attributed to him by NBC News. He said one confirmed concern is that she was taken without her medications, which he said could be fatal if she does not receive them within 24 hours.
What do investigators know about a suspect?
Authorities have not identified a suspect or person of interest. Nanos referred to an “intruder” but would not say whether there was forced entry or a struggle. Items from the home have been sent for DNA testing.
Savannah Guthrie
What evidence are investigators reviewing?
Detectives are seeking video from security cameras inside Guthrie’s home, which are not cloud-based and may require warrants or subpoenas to access. They are also reviewing traffic and license plate reader data from a wide area of Tucson and nearby roads.
This article was prepared with the help of AI technology using information collected and verified by journalists.
