Nancy Guthrie, 84, the mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, was last seen Saturday night from her residence in Catalina Foothills, Arizona before she was kidnapped on February 1
David Muir spoke about the abduction of Nancy Guthrie(Image: ABC)
ABC News shared a breaking news update that informed viewers that Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today anchor Savannah Guthrie, 54, is believed to have been kidnapped while she was asleep.
Savannah Guthrie’s mother was reported missing from her home in Catalina Foothills, Arizona, on Sunday, February 1. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department stated she was last seen on Saturday, January 31, at around 9:30 pm at her home near East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue. Sheriff Nanos confirmed that search and rescue teams are actively looking for Nancy.
During ABC News’ broadcast of World News Tonight on Monday, host David Muir, 52, broke the news and reported Nancy is believed to have been “kidnapped while she slept” sometime in the early hours on Sunday.
Despite Nancy not having her phone and her medication – which “puts her life at risk” – authorities believe she was “taken against her will.” Authorities in Arizona said the Guthrie family “know Nancy didn’t just wander off” due to her limited mobility.
The incident is also not believed to have been a “cognitive issue,” meaning this does not involve problems with her thinking, memory, judgment, and concentration. Muir shared his sympathies with Savannah and her family before moving to the next segment.
Nancy Guthrie is described as a missing person
Savannah and her family reported her missing on Sunday. An image of Nancy appeared on the screen, in which she was described as a “missing person” and “vulnerable adult.”
Sheriff Nanos said at a press conference on Sunday that search and rescue teams are actively looking for Nancy. Deputies have also reached out to local hospitals, but none in the vicinity have reported seeing her.
Sheriff Nanos said, “This is very concerning to us. We don’t typically get the sheriffs out at a scene like this.”
“We saw some things at the home that were concerning to us,” he continued. “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 and we’re asking the community’s help.”
David Muir said Nancy Guthrie was kidnapped
On Monday, the Today show opened with co-anchor Craig Melvin, who said the case was a “deeply personal story for us.”
A statement from Savannah, who did not appear on the program, read, “On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers, and messages of support. 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.”
Nancy is described as being 5’5″ tall and weighing about 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes.
The anchor has spoken about her mother in interviews and on the program on several occasions.
Nancy and Savannah Guthrie pictured together(Image: WireImage)
During a chat with her co-star Jenna Bush Hager in 2022, Savannah admitted, “My father died when I was entering my senior year in high school. I then lived at home all through college.”
“We didn’t have the money to afford the dorm,” the anchor continued. “And that was thing one, but the other was that my sister and I really felt like we should stick with my mom and not leave her alone.”
