The search for Savannah Guthries missing mother, Nancy Guthrie, has taken a chilling turn, Police now confirm they have located DNA evidence at her home, and the property has officially been designated a crime scene, What started as a welfare

The quiet suburbs of Arizona have been thrust into the national spotlight as the search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie, enters a harrowing new phase. What began as a terrifying welfare check on the morning of Sunday, February 1, 2026, has escalated into a high-stakes criminal investigation. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed a chilling development in a report shared on February 3: investigators have located significant DNA evidence within the Guthrie home, leading authorities to officially designate the property as a crime scene.

Nancy Guthrie, a woman described by her family as deeply faithful and fiercely devoted, was last seen by her loved ones around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 31. The first sign of trouble appeared the following morning when a concerned friend noticed Nancy’s empty pew at church—a rare occurrence for a woman of such steadfast conviction. When her children, Savannah, Annie, and Camron, searched the property and found no sign of their mother, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department was alerted. By noon on Sunday, the 84-year-old was officially listed as a missing person.

As the forensic investigation deepens, Sheriff Nanos has been candid about the grim nature of the evidence found on-site. The discovery of DNA profiles within the home has provided investigators with a “fingerprint” of the events that transpired during the overnight hours. During a press conference held on February 2, the Sheriff made it clear that the evidence points toward a struggle or an unwanted entry. “We know she didn’t just walk out of there,” Nanos stated, citing her fragile physical health as a primary factor in the theory that she was taken against her will. “There are other things at the site, at the scene, that indicate she did not leave on her own.”

The urgency of the search is exacerbated by a critical medical concern. Nancy Guthrie requires daily medication for a chronic condition, and investigators confirmed that her prescriptions were left behind in the house. Sheriff Nanos stressed that for a woman of her age, being without this medication for more than 48 hours could prove fatal. This ticking clock has transformed the investigation from a search for a missing person into a desperate race against time.

The disappearance has sent shockwaves through the media world, particularly at NBC’s Today show, where Savannah Guthrie has been a staple for years. Savannah has been absent from the anchor desk since the news broke, reportedly hunkered down in Arizona with her siblings and a private security detail. While Sheriff Nanos declined to speculate on whether the high-profile nature of Savannah’s career played a role in the disappearance, he noted that authorities are not dismissing any angles, including the possibility that the abduction was targeted. Despite the gravity of the situation, the Sheriff’s Department has assured the local community that there is no evidence of a broader threat to public safety at this time.

In the midst of this living nightmare, Savannah Guthrie has turned to the source of strength she shares with her mother: her faith. In a heartbreaking Instagram post shared on February 2, the 54-year-old anchor pleaded for the public to join her family in prayer. Describing her mother as a “good and faithful servant,” Savannah wrote, “Please pray. Thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy. Believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment. We need you. Bring her home.”

The bond between Savannah and Nancy has been a recurring theme in Savannah’s public life. Over the years, she has frequently shared stories of her mother’s adventurous spirit and resilience, noting that Nancy had lived in Arizona for over half a century and was a pillar of her local community. This history makes the current circumstances all the more jarring for those who know the family; the idea of such a vibrant, devoted woman being snatched from her home in the dead of night is a scenario that feels more like a thriller script than reality.

Adding to the complexity of the case are emerging reports regarding the final hours before Nancy vanished. Savannah’s sister, Annie, reportedly had dinner with their mother just hours before the disappearance. According to sources close to the family, nothing seemed amiss during the meal. Nancy was her usual self—engaged, spirited, and looking forward to the week ahead. This makes the 2:00 a.m. window—a time now being scrutinized by investigators following reports that Nancy’s health-tracking devices stopped recording data—even more pivotal. The sudden “silence” of her biometric data suggests that whatever occurred happened swiftly and with terrifying finality.

The case has even drawn attention from the highest levels of government. President Trump has reportedly offered federal resources to assist the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, acknowledging the unique intersection of a high-profile media figure and a vulnerable senior citizen. The involvement of federal agencies like the FBI could provide the technological and forensic bench strength needed to track the digital and physical breadcrumbs left behind by the alleged abductor.

As of February 4, the Guthrie home remains cordoned off with yellow tape as forensic teams continue to sift through every inch of the property. The search for Nancy Guthrie remains the top priority for Arizona law enforcement, who are now scouring CCTV footage from surrounding neighborhoods and checking for any suspicious vehicle sightings on the night of January 31.

The story is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of the elderly and the far-reaching impact of a single act of violence. For the Guthrie family, the past few days have been a blur of grief, hope, and agonizing waiting. For Savannah, who has spent her career reporting on the tragedies of others, being at the center of the story is a burden of unimaginable weight. As the investigation continues, the plea remains the same: a call for anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward and help bring a “faithful servant” back to the family that loves her.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department continues to urge the public to report any sightings or information related to Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts. As the DNA results are processed and the timeline of that Saturday night is reconstructed, the hope remains that Nancy can be found before her medical needs become insurmountable. The search is ongoing, fueled by a family’s love and a nation’s prayers.