Homicide Detectives Swarm “Today” Host’s Home

A missing-person case in Arizona turned sharply more alarming when homicide detectives were brought in—despite officials still calling it a search-and-rescue.

Quick Take

Authorities are searching for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, after she vanished from her home area in the Catalina Foothills near Tucson.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said the disappearance involves “concerning circumstances,” prompting homicide detectives to assist while the mission remains focused on finding her alive.
Deputies launched an air-and-ground operation, including Border Patrol search dogs, and checked hospitals without finding her.
Nancy Guthrie is described as a “vulnerable adult” in poor physical health, increasing urgency as the search continues into February 2.

What Authorities Say Happened and Why the Timeline Matters

Pima County authorities say Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen Saturday night, January 31, at her residence in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson. A family member called 911 around noon Sunday, February 1, to report her missing. Sheriff Chris Nanos later briefed reporters Sunday evening, describing “concerning circumstances” at the home and saying the situation created “grave concern” because of her health.

The publicly released details remain limited, and that restraint is typical in an active case when investigators don’t want to compromise leads. What is clear is the urgency: this is not being treated as a routine “wandered off” call. Officials have not said what, specifically, was found at the residence, but they have confirmed the circumstances were serious enough to expand resources and bring in additional investigative capability while still prioritizing rescue.

Why Homicide Detectives Are Involved in a “Search and Rescue”

Sheriff Nanos said homicide detectives are assisting even though the primary operation is still described as search and rescue. That combination can sound contradictory, but it often reflects a basic law-enforcement reality: when a vulnerable adult vanishes under unsettling circumstances, agencies pursue two tracks at once—finding the person quickly while preserving evidence if the case shifts into a criminal investigation. Nanos also said foul play has not been ruled out.

For the public, the key point is that “homicide detectives involved” does not automatically mean a homicide occurred. It does mean investigators see enough risk factors to treat the home as a potential scene and to process it accordingly. In practical terms, that approach can protect the integrity of the investigation while search teams and volunteers work the surrounding terrain. The sheriff’s office also indicated the scene was being processed overnight into Monday.

Search Effort: Air Assets, Ground Teams, and Border Patrol Dogs

Deputies and partner teams have used helicopters, planes, and ground searchers in the Catalina Foothills area, where rugged desert terrain and elevation changes can slow coverage and complicate visibility. Officials also said Border Patrol search dogs were involved, reflecting the scale of the response. Hospitals were checked and reported negative, and the sheriff said operations would resume Monday morning as the case moved into a second day.

Nancy Guthrie is described as 5’5” and about 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes; clothing details were not publicly confirmed in the early reports. Authorities have also characterized her as a “vulnerable adult” and not in good physical health, a factor that can compress the window for a safe recovery. The sheriff’s department has encouraged anyone with information to contact them or call 911.

What Savannah Guthrie Has Said—and What the Public Can Do

Savannah Guthrie issued a statement thanking people for “thoughts, prayers and messages of support,” while emphasizing that the family’s focus remains on the safe return of her mother. She also urged anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. Celebrity connection or not, that is the critical civic piece: tips from neighbors, drivers, hikers, and nearby residents often become the difference-maker in time-sensitive cases.

The case also underscores a broader, nonpartisan reality many families recognize: when an elderly parent goes missing, time is not an abstraction—it’s everything. Law enforcement can deploy aircraft and professional trackers, but local eyes and small observations matter too: a vehicle parked oddly, a doorbell camera clip, or a brief sighting. For now, the sheriff’s office has not announced a resolution, and officials continue treating the situation as urgent.