Investigators in Arizona have made a significant update in the search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of TODAY show co-host Savannah Guthrie, confirming that biological DNA evidence collected from her home belongs to her and has been sent to laboratories for further analysis.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos shared the development during recent briefings, noting that the material was gathered after declaring Nancy’s Catalina Foothills residence a crime scene. While the exact nature of the evidence has not been disclosed, Nanos described the overall scene as concerning and emphasized that homicide detectives are leading the probe, treating it more as a criminal investigation than a simple missing persons case.
Nanos firmly believes Nancy was taken against her will, likely during the night. “Somebody came into that home, and I believe took her out there without her permission,” he said. He highlighted her limited physical mobility due to various health issues, yet praised her mental sharpness, saying she is “sharp as a tack” and fully aware. Crucially, Nancy relies on medication that could become life-threatening if missed for over 24 hours, making voluntary departure highly unlikely.
The timeline began on the evening of January 31, 2026, when Nancy was last seen at her home near East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue, north of Tucson. A church friend noticed her absence the following morning and contacted one of her adult children, prompting the family to check the property and call 911 around noon on February 1 after initial searches yielded no results.
By February 3, authorities confirmed the DNA match to Nancy, intensifying the urgency as the search continues without strong leads. A reward of up to $2,500 is now available for tips leading to information about her whereabouts. Officials are particularly interested in any photos, videos, or surveillance footage from the area.
Nancy is described as a white woman standing 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing around 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. The public is urged to contact 88-CRIME at 520-882-7463 or submit anonymous tips via the P3TIPS app or 88crime.org.
Savannah Guthrie, who has been in Arizona supporting her family, previously shared a heartfelt Instagram message asking for prayers and expressing belief in a positive outcome.
Quick Summary:
Pima County authorities confirmed biological DNA from Nancy Guthrie’s home matches the missing 84-year-old, with samples sent to labs in a suspected abduction case. Sheriff Nanos believes she was taken against her will due to her mobility issues and medication needs; a $2,500 reward is offered amid ongoing searches with no solid leads.