Search for Nancy Guthrie Enters Second Month

The search for Nancy Guthrie has now reached almost two months, and the sheriff’s office handling the case has a clear message for the suspected perpetrator. Meanwhile, her family is urging the public to keep the case in mind.

In a recent interview with News 4 Tucson, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos discussed his department’s approach to the ongoing investigation. Despite the case remaining open, he conveyed confidence in his team’s efforts and showed no regret about their early decisions.

“I have no regrets about my team and their effort,” Nanos stated. “I don’t regret leaving the crime scene too early or anything like that.”

Nancy Guthrie, 84 and the mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, vanished on January 31 after returning home from a family dinner. She was reported missing the following day when she didn’t show up for church.

Authorities released footage from doorbell cameras that captured a masked individual outside her Catalina Foothills residence on the night of her disappearance. Investigators are relying significantly on digital evidence—like cell phone data and surveillance footage—but haven’t made any arrests yet.

When asked what he would say to the person involved in Guthrie’s disappearance, Nanos appealed directly: “Just give her up. Just let her go. Take her to the clinic, the hospital, drop her off. Leave her alone.”

As the investigation continues, Guthrie’s family is appealing to the community for assistance. They express a desire for renewed focus on her case.

“We implore this community to bring renewed attention to our mother’s case,” the family wrote on Instagram over the weekend. “Please check any camera footage, diary notes, text messages, observations, or conversations that might seem significant in hindsight.”

They emphasized that even the smallest detail could be crucial.

The family pointed out important timeframes, including the night of January 31, the early hours of February 1, and late January 11. They also highlighted the earlier release of footage showing a masked individual at Guthrie’s doorstep.

“We believe Tucson residents and the communities in southern Arizona hold the key to solving this case,” they stated. “Someone knows something. There may be information within the community that is yet unrecognized for its importance.”

The News 4 Tucson segment also illustrated the considerable impact of Guthrie’s disappearance on the community. Workplaces, neighbors, and even strangers have shown support through vigils, tips, flowers, and heartfelt messages.

Former colleagues described her as a quiet but influential figure in southern Arizona, whose work significantly contributed to public health, education, and journalism. A former University of Arizona professor, Jacqueline Sharkey, recalled her as “a quiet leader who was very effective without any effort.”

Others remembered her pivotal role in preserving the University of Arizona’s Poison Information Center, gathering thousands of signatures before the digital age to keep it operational. One former colleague noted the far-reaching benefits of her work for the community.

According to News 4 Tucson, Dave Caillier, who served with Guthrie on an advisory board for the journalism school, remarked on her quiet strength and advocacy for journalism and the university.

Support for Guthrie transcended her immediate neighborhood. One individual in the community has been making yellow ribbons of hope to keep interest in the case alive, inspired by her story. This person had previously done similar initiatives for other missing individuals.

The ribbons are now being worn by employees at El Charro, the Tucson restaurant where Guthrie had dined with her daughters shortly before she went missing.

Ray Flores, president of Flores Concepts, said the nature of the situation resonated deeply with the staff once they realized it was “more than just a lost child problem.” Despite not knowing Nancy personally, he observed the loving bond between her and her daughters during their visit, highlighting the community’s shared grief.

“You could tell they were a very loving family,” Flores noted. “Such pain affects not just one family but ripples through the entire community.”

El Charro employees are embracing the ribbon initiative as a means to sustain awareness of the ongoing situation.

One worker mentioned, “We still support them and think of them every day.”

The special underscored how Ms. Guthrie’s disappearance has left a lasting impression on her community—beyond mere ribbons and memorials.

At the same time, neighbors in the Catalina Foothills are quietly organizing efforts by gathering surveillance footage, cross-referencing videos from other residences, and providing potentially useful materials to law enforcement.

One neighbor explained that their aim was straightforward: to assist investigators by being “targeted and helpful.”

Residents are increasingly checking in on one another, enhancing safety protocols, and contemplating the reestablishment of neighborhood watch groups.

The narrative concluded by portraying a community united with a single hope: to bring her home.

This sense of solidarity has only intensified as the investigation lingers. A growing shrine of flowers, candles, and handwritten notes can be found outside Guthrie’s residence, symbolizing the community’s sorrow and determination. Savannah Guthrie and her family visited the site earlier in the month and were visibly moved by the tributes left for them.

In their latest message, the family expressed the depth of their ongoing heartache.

“We miss our mother with every breath we take. We won’t feel secure until she comes home,” they shared. “We cannot properly grieve. All we can do is endure pain and uncertainty.”

A reward of over $1 million is being offered for information leading to Guthrie’s recovery.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or disclose details to a local law enforcement agency.