Savannah Guthrie Rushes Home As Police Fear A Midnight Abduction

Savannah Guthrie’s family is living a nightmare after her 84-year-old mother vanished from her Tucson home under what authorities now fear were violent circumstances. 

Investigators believe Nancy Guthrie was taken from her bed in the middle of the night, leaving behind blood, personal belongings, and a home showing signs of forced entry. 

As police race against time, Savannah has rushed home, stepped away from major NBC commitments, and pleaded publicly for prayers as the search intensifies.

Savannah Guthrie’s mother was reported missing at noon on Sunday after her family realized she had disappeared from her Tucson, Arizona home. 

Nancy was last seen on the night of January 31, after spending the evening with Savannah’s sister for dinner and a game of mahjong. 

Investigators now believe the elderly woman was abducted directly from her bed during the night.

Nancy lives alone in a $1 million ranch-style home in Tucson’s affluent Catalina Foothills area. 

When family members went to check on her, they found her phone, wallet, and car still inside the house. 

Police later confirmed that lights in the common areas were on, the front door was unlocked, and there were signs of forced entry. 

Blood was also discovered inside the home, prompting authorities to treat the residence as an active crime scene after aspects of the scene caused what police described as “grave concern.”

Detectives immediately began canvassing the neighborhood, going door-to-door to collect surveillance footage from neighbors as they search for a suspect and a possible vehicle of interest. 

Sources told the Daily Mail that the scene inside the home strongly suggests an intruder forced their way in.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed investigators do not believe Nancy left voluntarily. 

“She did not walk away,” Nanos told the outlet. “We believe she was forced to leave that residence. It was against her will.” 

When asked whether the word abduction was too strong to describe what happened, Nanos replied, “No.”

The Sheriff emphasized that Savannah Guthrie’s mother’s physical condition made it impossible for her to leave on her own. 

“We know she could not walk out of that house. Talking to her doctors, we know she had some physical elements that definitely limited her.”

He added that Nancy is mentally sharp and of good mind, adding that she “suffers nothing in the form of any kind of dementia or Alzheimer’s.”

Savannah immediately flew to Arizona after learning of her mother’s disappearance, a moment described as the worst phone call of her life. 

The “Today” show anchor had been preparing to lead NBC’s coverage of the Milan Winter Olympics but has since dropped out of hosting duties and is now expected to remain off-air indefinitely. 

Savannah is also said to be traveling with a security team as the investigation continues. 

Currently, one of the journalist’s greatest worries is her mother’s health as Nancy was taken without her daily medication, which law enforcement says she needs to survive. 

“This is about an 84-year-old woman who is sick, who needs her medications, who, in the middle of the night, was taken from her bedroom,” Sheriff Nanos said. “If she is alive, she needs her medication and it’s been well over 24 hours. That in itself could be fatal, and that’s scary.” 

Meanwhile, DNA testing has been conducted at the home, though results may take several days. 

Despite the disturbing evidence, authorities insist the case remains a search-and-rescue operation and say they do not believe the public is in danger.

The emotional toll of the situation was evident on “Today,” on Monday morning as Jenna Bush Hager spoke through tears while addressing viewers. 

“I know her personally. And we want to just report, too, that she takes daily medication and she needs them for survival,” Hager said.

She added, “She’s without her medication. We are thinking of our dearest, dearest Savannah and her whole family right now in our prayers.”

Host Craig Melvin also echoed the concern shared by the “Today” team, telling viewers it was very concerning for the team. 

“We don’t typically get involved at a scene like this, but it’s very concerning,” he added. 

Savannah Guthrie, who was not at work Monday, also issued a statement via “Today” on behalf of her family, thanking the public for their support. 

“Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom,” she said.

The 54-year-old urged anyone with information to contact authorities, adding, “We thank law enforcement for their hard work on this case and encourage anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at (520) 351-4900.”

Savannah also made a heartfelt plea on Instagram, writing, “We believe in prayer. We believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope.” 

She continued, “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.”

The broadcaster ended her plea by asking followers to “raise your prayers with us,” adding, “We need you.”

As the search continues, Sheriff Nanos has struggled to hold back emotion while speaking publicly about the case. 

He nearly broke down during an interview with AZFamily host Briana Whitney after being asked, “Do you believe you are still looking for Nancy Guthrie alive at this point? That she could be held somewhere? And if so, do you believe that is local in the Tucson area, or that she’s been taken somewhere?”

Nanos said he and his deputies were just not going to give up hope. He announced a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest. 

Nanos also made an emotional appeal to whoever may be holding Nancy. “Just call us. Let her go. Just call us. The family will tell you, there’s no questions asked here,” he said per the Daily Mail.