Sheriff provides updates on missing mother of news anchor

TUCSON, Ariz. (WINK)— Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos held a news conference regarding the missing person case of Nancy Guthrie, mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie.

At the news conference held on Tuesday, Nanos opened by saying that finding Guthrie, 84, is the top priority, while his agency, along with the FBI’s Arizona branch, works to locate her. 

Nanos stated that he has received numerous leads, tips, and questions from the public regarding the case, which he had said slowed his efforts to fully commit to the investigation, hence the necessity of holding a news conference.

According to Associated Press reporting, Guthrie was believed to have been taken from her home against her will on Sunday. The latest on the case revealed that blood was found at her home.

FBI agent John Edwards was in attendance at the conference, where he listed all the resources being used to locate Guthrie, including analytical and technical support, such as downloading and analyzing cell phones, obtaining cell tower information, conducting interviews, and providing support to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.

When asked for specifics about the case, Nanos provided little detail, saying that an investigation is underway without offering any additional information.

Questions regarding motivation, how many are involved, blood found at the scene, the topic of ransom, and whether she could still be within the area were left unanswered due to how information is being processed by investigators.

Nanos did specify that Guthrie was dropped off at her home at around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday. The first report of her being missing came from a churchgoer informing her family of her absence at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

Nanos concluded the conference, stating that multiple press conferences will be held to provide case updates, unless a break in the investigation occurs.

The next press conference is set to begin on Thursday. 

Watch the entire conference above.

Mary Ellen O'Toole, a retired FBI agent, shared her insights on the case. She said, "In this case, what it appears is that this is a very low-risk victim. This is somebody that is living a very low-key lifestyle, and they were in their home at the time, which is in a low-crime area."

O'Toole believes the abduction was likely targeted, given the circumstances. She said, "Based on the fact pattern that's been given, I think that's more likely than not that this was not random, that this was somebody that was targeted."

Discussing the potential perpetrators, O'Toole said, "These can be people that that tend to be very they're very committed to to their crime. They lack empathy for the victim, the fear and the pain and the injury that the victim endures."

The possibility of Guthrie being targeted due to her daughter's public profile is not being ruled out.

O'Toole said, "We don't want to preclude anything, because once you start precluding theories on the case before you even know, then you're eliminating possible tracks of investigative significance."

Sheriff Nanos did not confirm if a ransom demand was made, but emphasized the importance of citizen leads in solving the case.