Police in Tucson say the search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, has become “a race against time,” with concerns growing over her health and safety. Authorities believe she may have been abducted, but no suspects have been publicly identified, and investigators continue to follow leads.
On Wednesday, Savannah Guthrie appeared in an emotional video alongside family members, addressing whoever may be holding her mother. “We will not rest,” Savannah said. “Your children will not rest until we are together again.” She also urged anyone involved to contact the family: “Please reach out to us.”
Despite the intensive search, veteran law-enforcement professional Art Del Cueto warned that identifying the person responsible may be difficult because of the area’s geography. Del Cueto noted that the neighborhood sits at the edge of rugged desert with “dense cactus, mesquite trees, and rocky ground,” which can easily conceal someone trying to escape. He added, “If somebody gets spooked, they can make it into Mexico in under an hour and a half. That’s why authorities may not be sharing everything they know.”
Neighbors describe the landscape as both open and dangerous. One said, “If you step two feet off the street, you’re basically in the thick of cactus,” and emphasized that Nancy, who uses a cane, would be unlikely to wander into the desert on her own.
Adding context, former FBI special agent Bryanna Cox, now a criminology professor, believes the person responsible is likely a stranger. She explained, “If it were a family member or someone familiar with the home, they wouldn’t have forced entry. If she knew them, they likely would have used a ruse to get her to leave with them.”
Time is critical, and the environment makes the search more complicated. With desert terrain, missing surveillance equipment, and the possibility of a rapid cross-border escape, investigators face significant challenges. Authorities continue to analyze evidence and follow leads while urging anyone with information to come forward. Meanwhile, Nancy’s family — and the Tucson community — hold on to hope for her safe return.
