What we know about Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother

Detectives have now been working for four days trying to locate the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, who authorities say was taken against her will from her home outside Tucson.

On Wednesday morning, amid online rumors about who might be involved, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said investigators had still not identified any suspects or persons of interest in the alleged kidnapping of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie.

“While we understand the public’s concern, sharing unverified accusations or false information is irresponsible and does not assist the investigation,” the sheriff said in a social media post.

The statement comes as details of the case were disclosed and after several media outlets reported receiving possible ransom notes demanding money in exchange for Nancy Guthrie’s release. The sheriff’s office said it was aware of the notes, but has not verified their authenticity.

“We don’t have to do anything but believe that she’s here, that she’s present, that she’s alive and we want to save her,” Nanos told NBC in an interview Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the sheriff said investigators “still don’t know where she is” and called on anyone who had contact with her to come forward.

The chronology of the file

Nancy Guthrie was last seen by family members around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, authorities said, when she was dropped off at her home in Catalina Foothills, a community just north of Tucson.

The next morning, around 11 a.m., family members were informed that their mother had failed to show up at church, prompting the family to return home to check on her. She was nowhere to be found.

Shortly after, family members reported him missing.

Local authorities say they immediately discovered “concerning circumstances” in the home and later said Nancy Guthrie may have been taken by force in the middle of the night.

“We believe Nancy was taken from her home against her will,” Nanos said at a news conference Tuesday.

Media outlets have reported that there is evidence that Nancy Guthrie’s pacemaker stopped sending data to her phone around 2 a.m. Sunday, potentially indicating when she was able to leave her home. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department would not confirm that information Tuesday, but said investigators were working to review any data from his pacemaker that could help in the investigation.

Proof of the house

While Nancy Guthrie was clearly gone, officials said essential items she usually traveled with remained at home, including her cell phone, wallet, vehicle and medications.

There was also evidence that someone appeared to have forced their way inside, and there was blood at the scene, according to law enforcement sources not authorized to speak publicly about the case. Images reviewed by The Times showed a trail of blood droplets near the front door of the house.

There was also an empty security camera frame outside the front door, although it was unclear when the camera had been removed.

However, the home was also equipped with several other cameras, and officials said they are still working to review that footage. They are also awaiting the results of other evidence sent for testing.

“He’s not someone who just got lost.”

Nancy Guthrie lived alone in her ranch-style home in the Catalina Foothills community.

She is of sound mind and has no cognitive problems, but she has physical problems that prevent her from walking far, officials said.

“He’s not someone who lost his way,” Nanos said at a news conference. “She couldn’t walk 50 meters alone.”

She also took the daily medications she needed to survive. It appears that she no longer took this medication. Nanos said his life would be in immediate danger without it.

Nancy Guthrie joined her daughter several times on the “Today” show, with clips showing the mother-daughter duo beaming with shared admiration. She was portrayed in these clips as a devout nun, an avid reader, and a devoted mother and grandmother.

Savannah Guthrie shared a statement on Instagram this week asking people to pray for her mother’s safe return home.

“Thank you for joining your prayers with ours for our beloved mother, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant,” she wrote. “Lift your prayers with us and believe with us that it will be lifted by them at this very moment.”

Investigators don’t know what Nancy Guthrie was wearing when she left her home.

Status of investigation

About 100 sheriff’s detectives continue to work the case, in coordination with the FBI.

Officials continue to ask for tips or information that could help lead to Nancy Guthrie.

“Every lead and every clue is important; we pursue and investigate them aggressively,” said John Edwards, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s Tucson office, which is assisting in the ongoing investigation. “Once again, help us bring Nancy Guthrie home.”

A tip line has been set up for this case and the Sheriff’s Department is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for images, information or video leading to the arrest of the person or people involved in her disappearance.