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By Jenna Sundel
News Reporter
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The search for Nancy Guthrie could be complicated by the surrounding desert terrain and lack of lighting in the neighborhood, NewsNation reported.
Nancy was last seen at her home in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona, on January 31.
The desert plants in the residential area could make it difficult to detect people coming or going, NewsNation senior national correspondent Brian Entin reported.
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“People hear ‘desert landscape,’ and they almost think that it’s nothing but sand,” Art Del Cueto, retired U.S. Border Patrol agent, told Entin as they toured rugged, thorny terrain. “This is basically the brush.”
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A local ordinance also limits the amount of lighting at night, Entin reported.
Why It Matters
Nancy, the 84-year-old mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, has been missing for over a week. The disappearance has prompted a multi‑agency search involving local law enforcement and the FBI.
An alleged ransom note was sent to local news stations and TMZ after her disappearance.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said at a news conference last week there were things at the crime scene that indicated Nancy "did not leave on her own."
The sheriff has also said Nancy needs daily medication and it could be fatal if she did not have the medication every 24 hours.
Nancy Guthrie Update: Everything We Know
The Catalina Foothills community sits at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains in Pima County and is roughly 44.6 miles of desert, the Arizona Republic reported.
Neighbor Robert Breeding previously told Newsweek, "I don’t see how somebody would carry a 155-pound lady at one of these culverts or hills to get out of the wash, so it’d be kind of tough."
Neighbor Gigi Breeding said the area is typically "quiet."
"When there was so much police presence with the helicopters and the drones, unbeknownst to us what was going on. I have to say that was a bit disconcerting, but you know, whatever they need to do," Breeding previously told Newsweek.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department told Newsweek that it will maintain a presence at Nancy’s home for “security purposes going forward.” The sheriff’s department said it was requested by the Guthrie family.
Law enforcement officials were seen at the home of Nancy’s daughter, Annie Guthrie, on Saturday, according to reports by NewsNation and People magazine.
The sheriff's department also told Newsweek that “detectives and agents continue to conduct follow-up at multiple locations," adding that "details of that follow-up are not being released at this time," adding that “Investigators have not identified any suspects, persons of interest, or vehicles connected to this case.”
Savannah Guthrie posted a new video to Instagram on Saturday, where she shared a message alongside her two siblings, Annie and Camron. “We received your message and we understand. We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us and we will pay,” the Today co-anchor said.
About 5:32 p.m. January 31, Nancy traveled to a family member’s house for dinner and to play games, Nanos said at a news conference last week, and that she was dropped off back at her house about 9:48 p.m. Her garage door closed around 9:50 p.m., the sheriff said.
A doorbell camera at the home disconnected about 1:47 a.m. the next day, Nanos said, adding that the camera detected a person around 2:12 a.m., but that no video is available because the camera was not linked to a subscription. “Could that be an animal? I imagine that’s possible. We don’t know that. We just have no video, but we’re not giving up on that,” the sheriff said.
At approximately 2:28 a.m., Nancy’s pacemaker app showed that it had disconnected from her phone, and her family checked on her and discovered her missing later that morning, according to Nanos.
Who Is Nancy Guthrie?
Nancy is a widow with three children as well as grandchildren. Savannah said in a Guideposts blog post that when she was a child, Nancy stayed home with the children while her husband worked as a mining engineer. Nancy’s husband died of a heart attack when Savannah was 16.
Savannah said Nancy then got a job working in public affairs at the University of Arizona. "She has met unthinkable challenges in her life with grit, without self-pity, with determination, and always, always with unshakeable faith," Savannah said in a tribute on her mother's 80th birthday in 2022.
Nancy Guthrie House Map
What People Are Saying
Pima County Sheriff’s Department, in comments to Newsweek: “This remains an active and ongoing investigation.”
President Donald Trump, on Truth Social last week: “I spoke with Savannah Guthrie, and let her know that I am directing ALL Federal Law Enforcement to be at the family’s, and Local Law Enforcement’s, complete disposal, IMMEDIATELY. We are deploying all resources to get her mother home safely. The prayers of our Nation are with her and her family. GOD BLESS AND PROTECT NANCY!”
What Happens Next
Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). People can also contact their local FBI branch or the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Tips can be submitted online at tips.fbi.gov. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the recovery of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.
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