The search for Nancy Guthrie has turned into a national story filled with fear, faith and unanswered questions.
Savannah Guthrie, co host of NBC’s Today, appeared alongside her siblings in a deeply emotional video appeal after the sudden disappearance of their 84 year old mother from her TucsonTucson home. Investigators now believe a crime occurred, and reports of a have surfaced.
Through tears, the family addressed whoever may be holding her and begged for contact.
“We are ready to talk”
Savannah began by thanking supporters before describing her mother in intimate detail, painting the picture of a beloved matriarch whose health is fragile and dependent on medication.
“Our mom is a kind, faithful, loyal, fiercely loving woman of goodness and light,” Savannah Guthrie said. “She’s funny, spunky. She has grandchildren that adore her and crowd around her and cover her with kisses. She loves fun and adventure. She is a devoted friend. She is full of kindness and knowledge. Talk to her and you’ll see.”
Then the plea grew more urgent.
“Our mom is our heart and our home. Her health, her heart is fragile,” she continued. “She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive. She needs not to suffer. We, too, have heard the reports about a ransom letter in the media. As a family, we are doing everything that we can.
“We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated,” she added. “We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you, and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us.”
Her sister Annie followed, visibly overwhelmed.
“We are always going to be merely human, just normal human people who need our mom. No, no. If you’re listening, we need you to come home. We miss you.”
Finally, Savannah addressed her mother directly, turning from a public appeal into a personal prayer.
“Mommy? If you are hearing this, you are a strong woman,” she said. “You are God’s precious daughter Nancy. We believe and know that even in this valley, he is with you. Everyone is looking for you, Mommy, everywhere. We will not rest, your children will not rest until we are together again. We speak to you every moment, and we pray without ceasing, and we rejoice in advance for the day that we hold you in our arms again. We love you.”
Trump orders federal resources deployed
President Donald Trump addressed the disappearance Wednesday night, promising sweeping federal assistance.
“I spoke with Savannah Guthrie, and let her know that I am directing ALL Federal Law Enforcement to be at the family’s, and Local Law Enforcement’s, complete disposal, IMMEDIATELY,” he wrote on Truth Social. “We are deploying all resources to get her mother home safely. The prayers of our Nation are with her and her family. GOD BLESS AND PROTECT NANCY!”
Investigators treat home as crime scene
Authorities in Pima County have intensified their investigation, returning to the home days after Nancy Guthrie vanished Saturday night around 9:30 p.m.
Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed suspicions early in the case.
“we do, in fact, have a crime.”
Law enforcement sources told investigators there were blood drops outside the entryway leading toward the driveway. Deputies later placed yellow tape around the property and deployed K 9 units while collecting evidence.
Officials believe she was taken by force.
“Sheriff [Chris] Nanos has stated that he believes that a crime has been committed,” a spokesperson for Pima County Sheriff’s Office said. “At this point, investigators believe she was taken from the home against her will and that includes possible kidnapping or abduction.”
Hundreds of leads and a possible ransom
Authorities confirmed they are reviewing an enormous volume of tips and have not ruled out a ransom demand after a reported written message seeking a large payment surfaced publicly.
“We are following all leads we have. That’s all I can tell you,” Nanos said. “We’ve got hundreds of leads. And it’s from you that produced those leads by telling people we need help.”
Investigators still cannot determine motive.
“We’re going to assume both sides of that. We’ll look at both sides,” he added when asked whether the incident was targeted.
White House and public join search
The White House urged the public to assist in locating the missing grandmother.
“The search for Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, is ongoing, and authorities are requesting assistance from the public. Anyone with information is urged to contact 911.”
“Our prayers are with the Guthrie family as we hope for Nancy’s safe return home.”
Meanwhile, Savannah posted a written message asking for unity and prayer as the family waits for answers.
“We believe in prayer. We believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope. We believe in goodness. We believe in humanity. Above all, we believe in Him,” she wrote. “Thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant. Raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment.”
For now, the case remains unsolved, and a family waits.
