Authorities in southern Arizona are searching for an 84-year-old woman reported missing under what officials described as highly concerning circumstances, prompting an unusually large law enforcement response, as reported [1] by The New York Post.
Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Savannah Guthrie, was last seen at her home in Catalina Foothills, a community north of Tucson, at approximately 9:30 p.m. Saturday, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Office.
BREAKING: The mother of an NBC Today show host is missing and investigators say the circumstances are deeply concerning.
Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing in the Catalina Foothills area of Arizona. Authorities confirm homicide detectives are now… pic.twitter.com/GLCWK2qBH7 [2]
— Jay Towers (@JayTowers) February 2, 2026 [3]
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said a relative placed a 911 call around noon Saturday to report Guthrie missing. Authorities identified her as a “vulnerable adult” who is “not of good physical health.”
“This is a search and rescue mission,” Nanos said during a press conference Sunday, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
The case drew additional attention after local outlet ABC15 Arizona reported that the missing woman is the mother of the longtime NBC “Today” show co-anchor, who has held the role since 2012.
NBC anchor Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, reported missing in Arizona in ‘concerning circumstances’ and homicide detectives are investigating. pic.twitter.com/nOp1Pj9ht5 [4]
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) February 2, 2026 [5]
Officials confirmed the identification later Sunday.
Law enforcement officials said the response has included resources not typically deployed in standard missing-person investigations.
Homicide detectives were also observed processing Guthrie’s residence, a step authorities acknowledged is not routine in such cases.
“We’ve pretty much thrown everything at this as we can,” Nanos said, referring to the scale of the search effort.
“I don’t need to tell you, this is very concerning to us; we don’t typically get the sheriff out on a scene like this, but it is very concerning,” he added.
Nanos said there was “grave concern” for Guthrie’s well-being, particularly due to environmental conditions and her physical limitations.
While she was not known to suffer from cognitive illnesses such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and was described as being of “good sound mind,” officials said she does have health issues that could hinder her mobility.
“She has some physical ailments that limit her ability to move around,” Nanos said.
Authorities also expressed concern about the possibility that Guthrie may have been exposed to cold temperatures overnight, given the time frame of her disappearance.
Search teams have been canvassing the Catalina Foothills area, and officials have asked the public to remain alert for any information that could assist in locating her.
If you have any information about the location of our dear friend Savannah Guthrie’s wonderful mother Nancy, please call police in Arizona. She is missing. pic.twitter.com/ZkQ4Msez5p [6]
— Willie Geist (@WillieGeist) February 2, 2026 [7]
No additional identifying details, such as clothing description, were released during the press briefing.
As of Sunday, Savannah Guthrie had not issued a public statement regarding her mother’s disappearance.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains active and that all possibilities are being examined as search efforts continue.