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By Andrew Stanton
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The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, is “highly unusual,” according to retired Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) agent Jennifer Coffindaffer.
The Context
Nancy Guthrie was reported missing in Pima County, Arizona, on Sunday morning after she was last seen Saturday evening at her Tucson home. The 84-year-old is said to have limited mobility and does not suffer from cognitive issues. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told reporters on Monday that her home is now considered to be a crime scene and that investigators are not ruling out foul play.
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"We believe now, after we've processed that crime scene, that we do in fact have a crime scene, that we do in fact have a crime," he said. "And we're asking the community's help."
What to Know
In an X post on Monday, Coffindaffer explained why she views the case as “unusual.”
“What I find interesting is IF this was totally random, why take Nancy Guthrie? If they intended to rob her and then killed her, it would be Highly unusual to take her. If it were a targeted kidnapping, why no ransom demand? Very unusual for an abductor of someone this age to wait this long to ask for ransom,” she wrote. "Who would benefit from Nancy's demise, if she is found deceased?"
If Nancy Guthrie were to be found deceased, law enforcement would typically speak to her family and inner circle and “move out,” Coffindaffer wrote.
During Monday’s press conference, Nanos said Guthrie lived alone and needs medication within 24 hours. He called for the local community to “step up” and let law enforcement know if they have seen anything potentially related to her disappearance.
“We make a plea to anyone who knows anything about this, who has seen something, heard something, to contact us,” he said. “Call 911. We don’t need another bad tragic ending. We need some help.”
Police received a call reporting her disappearance on Sunday, prompting a missing person response, he said. Nanos said evidence at the home indicated a crime occurred, but he declined to elaborate.
Law enforcement has not given any updates on whether she has been found by late Monday evening.
Authorities described Guthrie as 5’5” tall, weighing 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Her home is located near East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue in Tucson.
Savannah Guthrie thanked the public for their "thoughts, prayers and messages of support" in a statement released Monday.
"Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom," Guthrie previously told Newsweek. "We thank law enforcement for their hard work on this case and encourage anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff's Department."
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What People Are Saying
Jenna Bush Hager, co-host of NBC's Today with Jenna & Sheinelle, on Monday: "We love Nancy. I know her personally. And we just want to report too that she takes daily medication and she needs them for survival. She’s without her medication so we are thinking of our dearest, dearest Savannah and her whole family right now. Our prayers obviously go out to Savannah and the entire family."
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told reporters: “This isn’t somebody who just wandered off.”
Journalist Deborah Roberts wrote to X: “My heart is hurting for Savannah Guthrie and her family as they search for her beloved mom. Praying and praying for her safe return!”
What Happens Next
Investigators asked the community to send tips for possible details on Guthrie's whereabouts. An investigation is ongoing, Nanos said. Anyone with information should contact the Pima County Sheriff's Department at (520) 351-4900.
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