Savannah Guthrie Speaks Out as Search Continues for Missing Mother, Nancy Guthrie

Today show host Savannah Guthrie is opening up about the day her mother, Nancy Guthrie, went missing, in the first part of an interview with Hoda Kotb, following a clip released on Wednesday. Authorities believe the 84-year-old was taken against her will from her Tucson, Arizona, home on February 1st.

Timeline of Disappearance and Initial Response

Savannah recalled receiving a phone call from her sister, Annie Guthrie, who informed her that their mother was “missing,” during Thursday’s segment of Kotb’s Today show interview. “I said, ‘Is everything OK?’ And she said, ‘No, Mom’s missing.’ And I said, ‘What? What are you talking about?’ She said, ‘She’s gone.’ She was in a panic. I was in a panic,” Savannah told Kotb. “We thought that she must have had some kind of medical episode in the night, and that somehow the paramedics had come.”

Initial observations were confusing. The back doors to Nancy Guthrie’s home were found “propped open,” which Savannah described as “not making any sense.” Her sister and brother-in-law, Tommy Cioni, told authorities that Nancy wouldn’t have left on her own.

Disturbing Details Emerge

Savannah revealed further unsettling details, stating, “The doors were propped open. There was blood on the front doorstep. The Ring camera had been yanked off.” She also noted her mother was in significant pain and had limited mobility, making it unlikely she wandered off. “My mom, she was in tremendous pain. Her back was very bad…There was no wander off.”

Ransom Notes and FBI Investigation

In the days following Nancy’s disappearance, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department investigated several potential ransom notes sent to media outlets. At least three outlets – TMZ, and CNN affiliates KOLD and KGUN – reported receiving demands for millions in Bitcoin. Savannah indicated that authorities believed at least two of the notes were legitimate.

Surveillance Footage and Family Speculation

The FBI released surveillance video footage of a masked individual near Nancy Guthrie’s home the night she disappeared. Savannah described watching the footage as “totally terrifying,” stating, “I can’t imagine that that is who she saw standing over her bed. I can’t.”

Savannah addressed the cruel speculation that a family member might have been involved, calling it “unbearable” and expressing disbelief. “No one took better care of my mom than my sister and brother-in-law. No one protected my mom more than my brother.” Arizona officials have since cleared all family members as possible suspects.

A Plea for Information

Savannah’s brother, Camron Guthrie, initially suggested the possibility of a kidnapping for ransom, prompting Savannah to express her fear that her position might have made her mother a target. “Do you think because of me?” Savannah recalled asking her brother. “And he said, ‘I’m sorry, sweetie, but yeah, maybe.’ But I knew that. We still don’t know, honestly, we don’t know anything.”

Savannah made a heartfelt plea for anyone with information to come forward. “We cannot be at peace without knowing. And someone can do the right thing. And it is never too late to do the right thing,” she said. “Our hearts are focused on that.”

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate the case, and a $1 million reward is being offered for the safe return of Nancy Guthrie. Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.