“Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother was likely snatched from her bed in her Tucson home as she slept, Arizona police revealed Monday.
“I believe she was abducted, yes,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told CBS of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie.
“I can’t think of the last time where in the middle of the night in someone’s bed, an 84-year-old woman disappeared on us,” he added to NBC.
“We believe she was taken out of the home against her will, and that’s how this investigation is moving.”
There were cameras at the rural million-dollar property, Nanos said at a press conference earlier in the day.
He revealed at the time that cops were investigating Nancy’s disappearance as a crime.
“We know she didn’t just walk out of there. She did not leave on her own,” he said.
The beloved elderly grandmother was last seen Saturday around 9:45 p.m. after one of her kids dropped her off at home and was reported missing the next day when she failed to show up for church.
The missing poster released by police for Nancy Guthrie. AP
Authorities said Monday they found a “very concerning” scene at the home — and that some of Nancy’s key personal items were reportedly left behind, including life-saving medicine.
Nanos described Nancy as being mentally “sharp as a tack’’ but physically limited, unable to “walk 50 yards on her own’’ — indicating she didn’t leave voluntarily.
“We believe now, after we process that crime scene, that we do, in fact, have a crime scene, that we do, in fact, have a crime, and we’re asking the community’s help,’’ the grim-faced sheriff said.
The victim’s 54-year-old TV star daughter Savannah — who has credited her mom with guiding her to success — is in the area anxiously awaiting news, officials said.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told CBS he doesn’t think Nancy Guthrie willingly left her home. Pima County Sheriff
There is a desperate race against time to find Nancy, as she requires daily medication to survive, according to cops.
She “is in need of medication, medication that if she doesn’t have it in 24 hours, it could be fatal,” Nanos said.
There were no known related threats made involving her public-figure daughter, the sheriff said.
Savannah skipped her show Monday because of the ordeal.
“On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support,” she said in a family statement Monday.
“Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom. We thank law enforcement for their hard work on this case and encourage anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at (520) 351-4900,” she said.
