As the search for her mother enters its third day, Savannah Guthrie is asking the public to lift up prayers for the safe return of Nancy Guthrie, who authorities believe was taken from her Arizona home against her will over the weekend.
The ‘Today’ show co-anchor, who has been absent from the broadcast since Monday, took to Instagram on Tuesday night with an emotional plea. Sharing an image that simply reads “Please pray,” the 53-year-old wrote:
“We believe in prayer. We believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope. We believe in goodness. We believe in humanity. Above all, we believe in Him. Thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant. Raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment. We need you.”
Nancy, 84, was last seen Saturday night around 9:30 to 9:45 PM when family members dropped her off at her home in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson. She was reported missing on Sunday around noon after failing to show up for church. When relatives arrived at her residence, they found her vehicle, cellphone, wallet, and personal belongings still inside, but Nancy was nowhere to be found.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed during a Monday press conference that investigators are treating the case as a possible kidnapping or abduction. The home has been designated as a crime scene after officials discovered concerning evidence at the property, though they have declined to share specific details to protect the integrity of the investigation. DNA samples have been collected and are being analyzed, a process that could take several days.
Speaking to NBC News, Sheriff Nanos said:
“I can’t think of the last time where in the middle of the night in someone’s bed, an 84-year-old woman disappeared on us.”
Nancy has limited mobility and is without daily medication that could be life-threatening if not taken. Authorities have stressed that she is of sound mind and “sharp as a tack,” ruling out any possibility that she wandered off due to cognitive issues. A reward of up to $2,500 has been offered by 88-Crime, a nonprofit that works closely with local law enforcement, for information leading to an arrest.
Savannah, who traveled to Tucson after learning of her mother’s disappearance, has maintained a close relationship with Nancy over the years. In a 2022 tribute on the ‘Today’ show for her mother’s 80th birthday, she described Nancy as someone who “lived a life of integrity and loyalty.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at (520) 351-4900.