The abduction of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, remains one of the most unsettling investigations unfolding in the U.S., as authorities continue to search for answers days after she vanished from her Arizona home.
Police say Nancy Guthrie was last seen on Saturday night after being dropped off at her Tucson residence following a family outing.
When she failed to appear at church the next morning, something those close to her say was highly unusual – relatives went to check on her home and contacted police.
Senior Daily Mail reporter Steve Helling, who has been covering the case since the start, said investigators quickly realized the situation was more serious than a missing-person report.
‘From the beginning, the scene didn’t look normal,’ Helling said. ‘There were indicators that something had happened inside that house.’
Authorities have confirmed signs of forced entry, disturbed bedding, and blood found both inside and outside the home. Nancy’s wallet, phone, keys, and medication were all left behind.
Guthrie with her mother Nancy, who has not been seen since the night of January 31
Savannah Guthrie’s full statement addressing missing mom’s captors
‘That combination is significant,’ Helling said. ‘It suggests she didn’t leave voluntarily or with any intention of going anywhere.’
Investigators have also pointed to a key digital clue. Nancy’s pacemaker, which was synced to her Apple Watch, stopped transmitting data at around 2 a.m. Sunday. The watch itself was later found inside the house.
‘Police haven’t said publicly what that signal loss means,’ Helling noted. ‘But it has clearly become an important part of narrowing the timeline.’
Authorities have acknowledged alleged ransom messages sent to media outlets, but have not verified their authenticity or confirmed whether they are connected to the case.
‘Police have said they’re aware of the messages and are assessing them,’ Helling said. ‘They’ve stopped short of saying whether they’re being treated as credible.’
Despite intense public interest, investigators have not named a suspect or person of interest and have offered few details in press briefings. Officials have stressed there is no danger to the wider community, while declining to elaborate further.
‘At this stage, it’s common for investigators to keep details out of the public eye,’ Helling said. ‘They’ve been clear that releasing information too early could compromise the investigation.’
Nancy Guthrie, who authorities describe as mentally sharp but physically frail, was taken without the daily medication she requires. Police have acknowledged the urgency of the search but have not commented on her condition.
The case – including what is known, what remains unclear, and how investigators may be proceeding – is examined in depth on the latest episode of The Trial USA podcast.
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