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The desperate search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, entered its fifth day on Thursday as investigators released a detailed timeline surrounding her disappearance from her Tucson, Arizona home.
Authorities now believe Guthrie was abducted from her residence during the early morning hours of February 1, with evidence including signs of forced entry and blood confirmed to be Guthrie’s found on her front porch.
According to the timeline released by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, Guthrie took an Uber to a family dinner on Saturday evening, January 31. A family member later dropped her off at her home at 9:48 p.m., with surveillance footage confirming her garage door opened at that time and closed two minutes later.
The situation took a concerning turn in the early hours of Sunday. At 1:47 a.m., Guthrie’s doorbell camera disconnected. By 2:12 a.m., the camera’s software detected movement, though no video was captured as Guthrie did not have an active subscription service to save footage. Shortly after, at 2:28 a.m., Guthrie’s pacemaker app disconnected from her phone.
Family members became worried when Guthrie failed to appear at church the following morning. They checked on her at 11:56 a.m. and called 911 to report her missing just minutes later. By 12:15 p.m., investigators had arrived and launched a comprehensive search operation utilizing drones and search dogs.
By Monday morning, authorities announced they believed Guthrie had been kidnapped or taken against her will. That evening, local television station KOLD-TV reported receiving what appeared to be a ransom note demanding payment, with deadlines set for Thursday and the following Monday. The FBI has since offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to Guthrie’s whereabouts.
A person familiar with the investigation revealed to The Associated Press that investigators discovered signs of forced entry at Guthrie’s home. The case has drawn national attention, with President Donald Trump addressing the situation during an Oval Office appearance on Tuesday, describing it as “terrible.”
After initially returning Guthrie’s property to her family early in the week, authorities returned to the home on Wednesday for what they described as a “follow-up investigation.” That same evening, Savannah Guthrie posted a video on social media directly addressing her mother’s kidnapper, stating that the family was ready to talk but needed proof that Nancy was still alive.
On Thursday, investigators disclosed that DNA testing confirmed blood found on the home’s front porch belonged to Nancy Guthrie. Despite having no definitive proof that the elderly woman is still alive, officials emphasized they are “holding out hope she is still out there.”
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has coordinated with multiple agencies in the search, including federal authorities. Sheriff Chris Nanos spoke to reporters near Guthrie’s house on Sunday evening, expressing hope that the operation would remain a search and rescue mission rather than shift to recovery efforts.
The case has resonated deeply with the public, particularly given Savannah Guthrie’s prominence as a national television personality. On Monday night, the “Today” show host posted a message on Instagram asking for prayers during this difficult time.
As the investigation continues, authorities urge anyone with information about Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts to contact the FBI or local law enforcement immediately. The $50,000 reward announcement signals the seriousness with which federal authorities are treating the apparent kidnapping of the 84-year-old Arizona resident.
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10 Comments
The forced entry and blood evidence are very troubling signs. It sounds like a potential abduction, which is terrifying. I hope the police are pursuing all possible leads to find Ms. Guthrie.
Yes, the disappearance under those circumstances is extremely worrying. I sincerely hope the authorities are able to locate her unharmed.
This is a heartbreaking situation. The timeline provides some useful clues, but there are still so many unanswered questions. I can only imagine how distressed Savannah and her family must be.
Agreed, the lack of clarity must be agonizing. I hope the investigation is able to uncover more details about what happened and lead to Ms. Guthrie’s safe return.
This is a very concerning development. The timeline provides some helpful information, but there are still so many unanswered questions. I can only imagine how difficult this must be for Savannah and her family.
Absolutely, the uncertainty must be excruciating. I sincerely hope the investigators are able to uncover more clues and bring Ms. Guthrie home safely.
The details around the disappearance are deeply unsettling. I sincerely hope the authorities are able to locate Ms. Guthrie and bring her home safely to her family.
This is such a distressing situation. My heart goes out to Savannah and her loved ones. I truly hope there will be a positive resolution soon.
This is a deeply concerning situation. I hope the authorities are able to locate Ms. Guthrie safely and quickly. The detailed timeline provided is helpful in piecing together what may have happened.
Agreed, the timeline is crucial evidence. I can’t imagine how stressful this must be for Savannah and her family. Wishing them strength during this difficult time.