The authorities in Arizona who have been searching for the mother of Savannah Guthrie, the “Today” show anchor, said on Monday that they were treating her disappearance over the weekend as a crime.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen at her home in Tucson, Ariz., at around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Chris Nanos, the Pima County sheriff, said at a news conference Sunday night. She was reported missing around noon on Sunday.
On Monday, Sheriff Nanos described Ms. Guthrie’s home as “a crime scene.”
“As I said yesterday, we saw some things at the home that were concerning to us,” he said at a news conference on Monday. “We believe now, after we 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.”
He said she had physical challenges and needs medication every 24 hours, or the consequences could be fatal.
But it was not a dementia-related case.
“Nancy Guthrie is of great sound mind,” he said. “She is as sharp as a tack.”
Ms. Guthrie, he said, had limited mobility and “didn’t just walk out of there” he said, adding that she could not walk 50 yards by herself.
“She did not leave on her own,” the sheriff said.
He gave no further details about why the authorities had determined that the case was being investigated as a crime, but he said investigators did not believe there was any danger to the public.
On Sunday, Sheriff Nanos said the scene at Ms. Guthrie’s house “had some concerns for us,” prompting the authorities to call in a criminal investigation team in addition to search and rescue teams.
Search efforts included volunteers on the ground, drones, dogs and a helicopter, Sheriff Nanos said.
“We’ve pretty much just thrown everything at this that we can,” he said.
Ms. Guthrie was described in a missing person’s photo as 5 feet 5 inches tall with brown hair and blue eyes, and “vulnerable.”.
Savannah Guthrie was absent from the “Today” broadcast on Monday, which began with the news of her mother’s disappearance.
The show’s anchors, Craig Melvin and Sheinelle Jones, shared a statement from her: “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.”
When Sheriff Nanos was asked on Monday if Savannah Guthrie had received any threats, he said the authorities would continue to work with security teams.
“We are not going to dismiss any angles for sure,” he said.
In 2022, Savannah Guthrie marked her mother’s 80th birthday on air during a “Today” broadcast, praising her “grit” and resilience. Savannah Guthrie’s father died of a heart attack when she was 16, she wrote in 2017.
“She’s a truth teller, whether you really want to hear the truth or not,” Savannah Guthrie said of her mother during the 2022 tribute. “She’s quick and she’s smart, she’s well-read, she’s curious about everything.”
It was not the first time that Ms. Guthrie’s birthday was celebrated on air. When Ms. Guthrie turned 70, the anchors of “Today” surprised her with a phone call during the live broadcast.
Claire Moses is a Times reporter in London, focused on coverage of breaking and trending news.
The post ‘Today’ Host’s Missing Mother ‘Did Not Leave on Her Own,’ Sheriff Says appeared first on New York Times.
