New Details Emerge About Nancy Guthrie’s Final Hours Before Her Disappearance
“What began as a completely normal evening turned into something deeply unsettling,” the sheriff said — a shift that has left even veteran investigators troubled as new details surface in the case of Nancy Guthrie.
On Sunday, February 1, 2026, authorities confirmed that Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, had vanished from her Arizona home. What initially appeared to be a routine welfare concern quickly escalated into a high-stakes investigation.
According to Us Weekly, a concerned family member contacted 911 that morning after repeated attempts to reach Nancy failed. Law enforcement soon realized this was no ordinary missing-person case.
Who Last Saw Nancy Guthrie
Investigators confirmed that Nancy’s daughter, Annie Guthrie, was the last known person to see her. The two had spent time together earlier that evening, and nothing about the interaction seemed out of place.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told Us Weekly that Annie reported no unusual behavior, distress, or warning signs during their last encounter.
“There were no red flags,” Nanos said.
The Narrow Window of Disappearance
Authorities have since identified a crucial timeframe. Nancy was dropped off at her home after dinner between 9:30 and 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, January 31.
“That gives us a starting point,” Nanos explained, adding that detectives are now working backward through the evening. Investigators are closely examining events from approximately 8:30 p.m. Saturday until 11 a.m. Sunday, when concern began to mount.
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The Delay That Complicates the Case
One of the most troubling elements investigators are now grappling with is the delay in reporting Nancy missing. Family members did not realize something was wrong until around 11 a.m. Sunday, and police were officially notified at 12:15 p.m.
Those lost hours are now a critical focus of the investigation.
“Time matters,” one law enforcement source noted, and detectives are working to understand what may have occurred during that gap.
Health Concerns Raise Urgency
Nancy’s age immediately raised alarm, but investigators clarified an important detail: she does not suffer from dementia or cognitive decline.
“She is of sound mind — sharp as a tack,” Sheriff Nanos emphasized.
However, authorities later revealed that Nancy requires daily medication to survive, and missing doses could be life-threatening — a factor that significantly heightens the urgency of the case.
Family Searching for Answers
Nancy Guthrie is survived by daughters Savannah, 54, and Annie, and son Camron. Her husband, Charles Guthrie, died of a heart attack at age 49.
For the family, the unanswered questions are devastating.
“This is an 84-year-old woman who was safe in her own home, asleep — and she was taken,” Sheriff Nanos said. “That should never happen.”
Why Investigators Say This Case Is Different
While many details remain sealed, authorities acknowledge that the circumstances surrounding Nancy’s disappearance are highly unusual. From the timeline gaps to conditions inside the home, investigators say nothing points to a random event.
As the case developed, officials shifted their approach.
Search Efforts Scale Back as Investigation Turns Criminal
By Monday afternoon, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that search-and-rescue operations had been suspended. Detectives no longer view the situation as a standard search mission.
“At this point, we’re treating this as a potential crime scene,” Nanos said.
Investigators remain on site, following up on tips and evidence, while urging the public to come forward with any information — no matter how insignificant it may seem.
Savannah Guthrie on Her Mother’s Strength
Savannah Guthrie has previously spoken publicly about her mother’s unwavering support and selflessness. During a 2022 interview on Today, she recalled a defining moment when her mother encouraged her to chase her dreams — even if it meant being apart.
“She said, ‘If you can’t leave me, then I didn’t do my job right,’” Savannah shared. “She gave me permission to go.”
Savannah explained that the message was never about distance, but about love and belief.
“She wasn’t pushing me away. She was saying, ‘Go. I’m not going to stand in the way of your dreams.’”
An Ordinary Night That May Hold the Answers
As investigators continue piecing together the hours leading up to that quiet Saturday night, authorities believe the most important clues may lie in moments that once seemed completely ordinary.
For now, Nancy Guthrie remains missing — and the search for answers continues.