Health Officials Face Criticism for Disregarding Woman’s Life-Threatening Situation

In a pointed on-air moment Sunday, MS Now correspondent Alex Tabet criticized social media influencers for spreading false information about the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie.

Reporting live from Tucson, Arizona during “The Weekend” program, Tabet described what he called “an interesting and somewhat dystopian dynamic” unfolding at the scene of the investigation. While traditional journalists from local, national, and international outlets have converged to cover the story, Tabet noted a troubling parallel presence.

“There are also hundreds of influencers,” Tabet explained. “And in these moments of developments in this story, they will go live to their hundreds—if not thousands, if not tens of thousands of viewers—and I will overhear them just say things. Things that are not based in fact. Things that are not based in reality, or have been checked with the local authorities.”

The correspondent specifically addressed several false claims that had gained traction through social media channels. These included erroneous reports of multiple arrests, incorrect information about a home searched by authorities allegedly belonging to a former county attorney, and a fabricated story about a suspect fleeing the scene and later dying by suicide.

“That is not true, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department,” Tabet emphasized, systematically debunking each false narrative that had circulated online.

Tabet expressed particular concern about the human impact of such misinformation, highlighting the gravity of the situation involving the elderly woman’s disappearance. “These comments… are made without regard to the fact that a woman’s life potentially hangs in the balance here,” he said, explaining how seemingly minor inaccuracies can “snowball into this misinformation and disinformation.”

The stark assessment resonated with MS Now anchor Jonathan Capehart, who responded that Tabet’s observations were “among the most disturbing things we have heard about this whole situation.”

The incident highlights the growing tension between traditional news-gathering operations and the relatively unregulated world of social media content creators who operate without the professional standards or editorial oversight that guide established media organizations. As high-profile missing persons cases attract public attention, the information ecosystem surrounding them has become increasingly complex and potentially harmful to investigation efforts.

Law enforcement officials have repeatedly warned about the dangers of misinformation in active investigations, noting how false leads can divert valuable resources and potentially impede progress in time-sensitive cases. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has been working to provide verified updates on the Guthrie case while managing the significant media presence.

For the Guthrie family, the circulation of unverified claims adds another layer of distress to an already difficult situation. Savannah Guthrie, a prominent national news figure herself, now finds her family’s crisis being covered—and sometimes misrepresented—across multiple platforms.

Media ethics experts point to cases like this as examples of the widening gap between professional journalism and content creation primarily designed to generate engagement. While established news organizations typically adhere to verification protocols before publishing information, social media platforms often reward speed and sensationalism over accuracy.

The search for Nancy Guthrie continues as authorities investigate leads and coordinate with local volunteers in the Tucson area. Meanwhile, Tabet’s candid assessment offers a sobering glimpse into the modern media landscape where the line between reporting and speculation has become increasingly blurred.