Sheriff Breaks Down While Speaking About Savannah Guthrie’s Missing Mother: “You Have to Believe She’s Still Out There”
As the search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, enters its sixth day, the emotional toll on investigators is becoming impossible to hide.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, who has been leading the case since Nancy vanished from her Arizona home, became visibly emotional during a new interview that aired Friday, Feb. 6, on Today.
Speaking with NBC correspondent Liz Kreutz, Nanos was asked what keeps him hopeful as the investigation continues without any named suspects or persons of interest.
“You have to have hope,” the sheriff said, his voice cracking. “You have to. This is somebody’s mother. We are going to find her.”
Family’s Emotional Plea Grows More Urgent
As authorities continue their work, the Guthrie family has publicly appealed to whoever took Nancy, asking for contact and proof that she is alive.
In a deeply emotional video shared on Feb. 4, Savannah Guthrie appeared alongside her siblings, Annie and Camron, speaking directly to the abductor.
“As a family, we are doing everything we can,” Savannah said. “We are ready to talk. But we need to know — without a doubt — that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you. Please reach out.”
The following day, Camron Guthrie posted a second message, again urging communication.
“Whoever is holding our mother, we need you to contact us,” he said. “We haven’t heard anything directly. We need a way to communicate so we can move forward.”
View this post on Instagram
Ransom Note Investigation Continues
Authorities confirmed Thursday that investigators are still examining a ransom note sent to media outlets demanding payment in Bitcoin. However, officials also revealed that one individual was arrested for attempting to exploit the situation by sending a fake ransom demand.
FBI Agent Heith Janke made it clear the arrest is unrelated to Nancy’s actual disappearance.
“We believe there’s no evidence connecting that individual to Nancy’s case,” Janke said. “It was someone trying to profit from the situation — a total imposter.”
He also warned others against attempting similar actions, stating that anyone who tries to exploit the case will face prosecution.
Timeline of Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on Saturday, Jan. 31, after being dropped off at her Tucson-area home by her daughter Annie. When she failed to attend church the following morning, concern grew, and she was officially reported missing later that day.
Authorities have since stated they believe Nancy was taken against her will, and the case is being treated as a criminal investigation.
As days pass with no confirmed contact from the real abductor, Sheriff Nanos emphasized that hope remains central to the search.
“You don’t give up,” he said. “Not on someone’s mom.”