Arizona search intensifies after Nancy Guthrie disappears from Tucson foothills home

TUCSON, Ariz. (JN) – Authorities in Arizona are investigating the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, 84, from her home in the Catalina Foothills near Tucson, a quiet desert neighborhood marked by large properties, sparse lighting and limited street activity at night. Detectives say there were signs of forced entry and believe she was taken against her will.

The case has drawn national attention in part because Guthrie is the mother of “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. But investigators have stressed that the focus remains on piecing together what happened in the hours between her return home Saturday night and the moment she was reported missing the following day.

Search efforts are unfolding across challenging desert terrain as deputies review camera footage, interview contacts and assess tips, including purported ransom notes sent to media outlets.

Conditions around the home complicate the timeline

The Catalina Foothills neighborhood where Guthrie lived alone is characterized by long driveways, gated entrances and natural desert vegetation that limits visibility from the street. Saguaro cacti and mesquite trees surround many homes, and street lighting is minimal.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said Tuesday that investigators believe Guthrie did not leave voluntarily.

“Is there somebody out there who’s kidnapping elderly people in the middle of the night, every night? We don’t believe that’s the case,” Nanos said. “We believe Nancy was taken from her home against her will.”

Authorities confirmed there were signs of forced entry at the property. The home has since been returned to the family as the investigation continues.

Nanos indicated that some camera footage exists but declined to elaborate, saying investigators are working with the companies that operate the systems. On Wednesday, the sheriff’s office said detectives were still speaking with anyone who had contact with Guthrie over the weekend, and that no suspect or person of interest had been identified.

Health concerns heighten urgency

A dispatcher audio recording from Sunday, archived on Broadcastify.com, indicated that Guthrie has limited mobility and underlying health conditions, including high blood pressure, a pacemaker and heart issues. Officials said they do not believe she left the home on her own.

She was last seen around 9:45 p.m. Saturday when family members dropped her off after dinner. She was reported missing midday Sunday after she did not appear at church.

The combination of age, medical history and possible abduction has intensified the urgency of the search.

Desert terrain poses search challenges

Jim Mason, a longtime commander of a search-and-rescue posse in Maricopa County who is not involved in the case, said the Sonoran Desert environment can complicate efforts to locate missing people.

Dense growth of mesquite, cholla cactus and other desert brush can make areas difficult to access or even see into from vehicles or helicopters.

“Some of it is so thick you can’t drive through it,” Mason said, describing typical search conditions in similar terrain.

Ransom notes under review

Multiple media organizations reported Tuesday that they received purported ransom notes related to the case and turned them over to investigators. The sheriff’s department said it is taking the notes and other tips seriously but declined to comment on their contents or authenticity.

Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether the notes are connected to the disappearance.

National attention and support

The case has resonated beyond Arizona. Victory Church in Albany, New York, announced it is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to Guthrie’s recovery.

Pastor Charlie Muller said the offer was motivated by the family’s public faith and connection with viewers who follow Savannah Guthrie’s work on television.

At the White House, officials said President Donald Trump called Savannah Guthrie on Wednesday.

For a third consecutive day, NBC’s “Today” program opened with news of the disappearance. Savannah Guthrie was absent from the anchor desk, and NBC Sports said she would not be covering the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics as she remains with her family.

Deep roots in Tucson

Savannah Guthrie grew up in Tucson and graduated from the University of Arizona before beginning her career at local television station KVOA. Her parents settled in the city in the 1970s when she was a child.

She has spoken publicly in the past about her mother’s role in holding the family together after her father died of a heart attack at age 49, when she was 16.

As the investigation continues, law enforcement officials are asking anyone with information to come forward while search teams work across the desert landscape surrounding the neighborhood.