Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said investigators do not believe the apparent abduction of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie poses a broader public threat. Nancy was last seen at her Catalina Foothills home on Jan. 31; her disappearance was reported the next day. DNA recovered at the residence has been confirmed as hers, and authorities describe the scene as more a "crime scene" than a search mission. The sheriff urged the public to share any video or photos and noted a reward of up to $2,500 is available for tips.
Sheriff Says No Evidence of a Wider Public Threat After Nancy Guthrie’s Apparent Abduction
Savannah Guthrie and mother Nancy GuthrieDon Arnold/WireImage
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos says investigators currently do not believe the apparent abduction of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie represents an ongoing danger to the public, though authorities continue to pursue all leads in the case.
Investigators Treat Home As Crime Scene
Sheriff Nanos spoke at a press briefing on Tuesday, Feb. 3, and reiterated that while crime happens in Tucson as it does in any city, there is no indication of a pattern of kidnappings targeting elderly residents. "We don't believe that's the case," he told reporters, adding that investigators do believe Nancy was taken from her home against her will.
"We do believe that Nancy was taken from her home against her will, and that's where we're at." — Sheriff Chris Nanos
Officials say Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her residence in the Catalina Foothills, north of Tucson, on Saturday, Jan. 31. Her disappearance was reported the next morning after a church friend noticed she did not attend services and a relative checked on her home and then called 911.
Missing-person poster for Nancy GuthriePima County Sheriff's Department
Authorities described the residence as more of a "crime scene" than a search mission, saying evidence at the home led them to conclude a crime likely occurred. Law enforcement confirmed on Tuesday that DNA recovered at the home belongs to Nancy; Nanos declined to discuss the nature of that DNA evidence during the briefing.
Victim’s Condition, Investigation Status
The sheriff has said Nancy showed no signs of cognitive impairment but that her physical mobility was "quite limited," making it unlikely she wandered away on her own. Investigators do not yet know Nancy's whereabouts and remain unsure how many people, if any, were involved in her apparent abduction.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information related to Nancy's disappearance and has appealed to the public for any video or photographic material from the area near her home that could assist the investigation. Authorities ask anyone with relevant information to contact the Pima County Sheriff's Department.
Family Response
Savannah Guthrie, the 54-year-old "Today" show host and Nancy's daughter, and other family members are cooperating with investigators and remain in Arizona while the inquiry continues. In an Instagram message shared late Monday, Savannah asked followers to pray for her mother's safe return, thanking people for lifting their prayers for "our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant."
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