Sheriff Chris Nanos says investigators found crime scene at Nancy Guthrie's residence and believes 84-year-old was taken against her will
By Christina Dugan Ramirez , Julia Bonavita , Michael Ruiz
TUCSON, Ariz. – Authorities in Arizona have revealed that the mother of NBC "Today" co-host Savannah Guthrie was possibly kidnapped from her home as investigators continue to search for the missing 84-year-old woman.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen Saturday evening at her residence near East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue, north of Tucson, around 9:30 p.m. after family members dropped her off at her home, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
"Sheriff [Chris] Nanos has stated that he believes that a crime has been committed," a spokesperson for Pima County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to Fox News Digital. "At this point, investigators believe she was taken from the home against her will and that includes possible kidnapping or abduction."
Evidence also suggests Nancy Guthrie was harmed as she was being taken, but the extent of her injuries have not been revealed, according to NBC Nightly News.
MOM OF NBC'S SAVANNAH GUTHRIE REPORTED MISSING IN ARIZONA, SHERIFF SAYS THERE IS A ‘CRIME’
"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," Nanos said in an interview with NBC Nightly News' Tom Llamas Monday evening.
Additionally, Nanos told NewsNation there have been no ransom demands in Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.
A relative of Guthrie’s contacted authorities around noon on Sunday to report her missingafter she did not show up for church, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said.
"We’re pretty much just throwing everything at this that we can. Guthrie is 84 years old and is not of good physical health, and so naturally that’s a great concern," Nanos said in a Sunday press conference, adding that the scene at the house raised "some concerns for us as well."
"This is very concerning to us. We don’t typically get the sheriff out at a scene like this. But it’s very concerning what we’re learning from the house," Nanos said. "And so we’ll just continue. The detective’s homicide team is out right now looking at the scene as well."
On Monday, Nanos told reporters that investigators found a crime scene at Nancy Guthrie’s house and that she did not leave on her own.
"We believe now, after we processed that crime scene, that we do, in fact, have a crime scene that we do, in fact, have a crime," Nanos said. "She did not leave on her own. We know that."
While authorities initially launched a search-and-rescue mission for Nancy Guthrie, Nanos added that it has been shut down, saying, "We don't see this as a search mission as much as we do a crime scene."
Nanos also revealed that Nancy has physical ailments that limit her mobility, but is of "good sound mind" and requires medication that could be fatal if not taken within 24 hours, according to NBC News.
"She could not walk out of that home 50 yards," Nanos told the outlet.
In a statement released to NBC’s "Today," Savannah Guthrie thanked investigators while calling for the public’s help in finding her mother.
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"On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support. Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom," the statement said.
"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," it continued.
Fox News Digital's Bradford Betz, Adam Sabes and Stephen Sorache contributed to this report.
