Editor’s note: This story has been updated.
Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “TODAY” show anchor Savannah Guthrie, has not found since being reported missing on Sunday, Feb. 1, in Arizona, where she lives. Officials are now suspecting a crime occurred in her disappearance.
Sheriff Chris Nanos said at a news conference on Monday, Feb. 2, that officials suspect a crime occurred in Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.
At around noon local time on Sunday, Feb. 1, the Pima County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting Guthrie, 84, missing from her home outside Tucson, Nanos said at a news conference.
“Ms. Guthrie is 84 years old and is not of good physical health and so naturally we have some great concerns,” Nanos said. “The scene at the house also has some concerns for us as well.”
“We believe now, after we’ve processed that crime scene, that we do in fact have a crime scene, that we do in fact have a crime,” Nanos said.
He also said there are indications that the 84-year-old did not leave her home on her own.
According to a missing persons flyer, Nancy Guthrie is 5’5″ and about 150 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information should contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Office at (520) 351-4900.
Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie may have been abducted
Authorities now believe Nancy Guthrie was abducted or kidnapped, triggering a massive search in the Catalina Foothills area just north of Tucson.
“At this point, investigators believe she was taken from the home against her will, possibly in the middle of the night. Taken against her will includes possible kidnapping or abduction,” Nanos said.
Nanos said he could not go into further details about why the department views the disappearance as a crime, but Sgt. David Stivers added there were “some suspicious circumstances.” Nancy Guthrie could not have walked out on her own, according to the department.
The department is looking at home security camera footage and license plate readers to help find what happened to Guthrie.
In a statement, the “TODAY” show relayed that Guthrie’s family is “grateful for the outreach, thoughts and prayers.” They confirmed they are working closely with local law enforcement.
Savannah Guthrie, who has been open about her close relationship with her mother over the years on the “TODAY” show, thanked supporters in a statement.
“On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support,” she said. “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.”
Source: USA Today.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Today anchor Savannah Guthrie’s mom missing in Arizona, what to know
Reporting by Maria Cortes Gonzalez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
