Arizona officials believe Today show host's mother is still alive

The search for Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC's Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie, has entered its sixth day in Arizona. Authorities believe she is still alive despite uncertainty surrounding her disappearance. The FBI is involved, offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to her safe return.

The search for Nancy Guthrie, 84, the mother of Savannah Guthrie, the anchor of NBC’s Today show, has entered its sixth day in Arizona. As the investigation continues, officials have confirmed they believe she is still alive. Authorities remain hopeful despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding her disappearance.

Authorities Remain Hopeful

Chris Nanos, the Pima County Sheriff in Arizona, appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America on Friday morning, where he expressed optimism in finding Nancy Guthrie. He said, "She's out there, we’re going to find her, we have to. Pray… just pray." When questioned whether prayers could replace investigative leads, Nanos responded, "Sometimes I have to, I do not have a choice."

FBI Involvement and Reward

The FBI is actively involved in the investigation. A reward of $50,000 is being offered for any information that leads to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery or the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Due to her mobility issues, use of a pacemaker, and daily heart medication, the FBI has classified her as a vulnerable adult, further heightening the urgency of the search.

Details of the Disappearance

Nancy Guthrie was last seen by her family members on the evening of January 31, at her home in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood, located north of Tucson. She was reported missing on Sunday morning after failing to attend her regular church service. Authorities are investigating her disappearance as a potential kidnapping. As of Friday morning, no suspects or persons of interest have been identified.

Family's Plea for Contact

On Thursday night, Savannah Guthrie’s brother, Camron Guthrie, posted a heartfelt video on social media, appealing directly to whoever may have their mother. “Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you,” he said. “We haven’t heard anything directly. We need you to reach out. We need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward. But first, we have to know you have our mom. We want to talk to you, and we are waiting for contact.”

This public plea followed a press conference where Sheriff Nanos reiterated his belief that Nancy Guthrie is still alive. “Right now, we believe Nancy is still out there. We want her home. Our department, the sheriff’s department, along with all of our partners at the FBI, have been working around the clock, and we just want her home and to find a way to get to the bottom of all of this, just as you do,” Nanos added.

Evidence Collected

Authorities have collected several pieces of evidence during their investigation. Blood discovered near the front door of Nancy Guthrie’s home tested positive for her DNA. Additionally, her pacemaker disconnected from its monitoring device at 2:28 a.m. on Sunday, and the doorbell camera at her residence was also disconnected the same night, coinciding with her disappearance.

Ongoing Investigation

The FBI continues to stress the urgency of the case, given Nancy Guthrie’s age and health issues. Investigators are working closely with local law enforcement to follow all leads in the hopes of securing her safe return. The $50,000 reward is still being offered to anyone who provides critical information that could help resolve the case.

Sources:

• Officials investigating new messages on Savannah Guthrie's missing mother (The Guardian)
• SEARCH underway for Today host Savannah Guthrie’s mother who disappeared in Arizona (Yahoo News)
• Hoda Kotb Returns to the Today show as search continues for Savannah Guthrie's missing mom (People)
• FBI Announces 'New Message' in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance (People)
• Arizona authorities say they believe Today show host’s mother is still alive