Authorities are revealing new details regarding the ongoing search for Today’s Savannah Guthrie’s missing mom, Nancy Guthrie.
“Something unusual at that house occurred that made us go, ‘Wow, something’s wrong here. Something doesn’t fit,’” Prima Country Sheriff Chris Nanos exclusively shared with Us Weekly on Monday, February 2. “We’re gonna pull all the stops and go at all angles. We really do hope it’s a search and rescue mission and we find her and she’s safe and sound. But it would be unjust if we didn’t look at what’s in front of us and go, ‘We need to act.’”
Nanos also confirmed that Nancy’s family “really wants her back” as they wait for updates.
“This is an 84-year-old lady who is safe in her own home asleep, and she is taken,” Nanos added. “And that should never happen.”
In a separate interview with CBS News on Monday, Nanos also said, “I believe she was abducted, yes. She didn’t walk from there. She didn’t go willingly.”
News broke on Sunday, February 1, that Savannah’s mom was reported missing in Arizona.
At the time, Nanos called the situation “very concerning,” noting that the authorities aren’t ruling out foul play.
According to a missing person poster shared by the Pima County Sheriff’s Office, Nancy was last seen on the evening of Saturday, January 31, at her residence.
When Nancy didn’t show up to church Sunday morning, a concerned church member called her family, who then went to her home around 11 a.m. to look for her, police stated.
In a press conference on Monday, police said Nancy had mobility issues and is in need of vital, daily medication.
“We know she didn’t just walk out of there,” Nanos said. “She did not leave on her own. … Nancy Guthrie is of great, sound mind. This is not dementia-related. She is as sharp as a tack. The family wants everybody to know this isn’t somebody who just wandered off.”
As the search continues for Nancy, Savannah, 54, has traveled to Arizona to be closer to her family. Sheinelle Jones filled in for the NBC News anchor on Monday’s edition of Today.
During the morning show, both Jones, 47, and coanchor Craig Melvin read a statement issued on behalf of Savannah and her family.
“On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support,” the statement read. “Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom. We thank law enforcement for their hard work on this case and encourage anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.”
Multiple neighbors spoke to Us, claiming police have been going house to house on neighboring streets and asking residents to check home cameras for anything that could aid the ongoing investigation.
Police previously confirmed search and rescue teams, including volunteers, dogs, border patrol agents and helicopters have been dispatched in an effort to find the missing 84-year-old.
“[Nancy] was always asking about other people and always concerned about them — never shining the light on herself, but always on others,” one neighbor exclusively told Us. “We are all worried about her. … [We are] in complete shock and very concerned.”
Savannah has previously celebrated her mom on the Today show in heartfelt segments.
When celebrating Nancy’s 80th birthday in 2022, Savannah praised her mom for being “curious about everything.”
“She’s lived a life of integrity and loyalty,” Savannah said. “She is a consistent doer of the right thing and the hard thing. She’s a truth teller, whether you really want to hear the truth or not. She’s quick and she’s smart.”
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