Sheriff's 'Nancy Has Been Located' Alert Sparks Backlash

Misleading message about missing 'Today' anchor's mother causes confusion

Apr. 17, 2026 at 6:32am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a police radio or other law enforcement equipment, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the misleading police alert about a missing person.A misleading police alert about a missing person sparks backlash and highlights the need for transparency in law enforcement communications.Pima Today

The Pima County Sheriff's Department posted a message on X late Thursday evening stating 'Nancy has been located', referring to Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of 'Today' anchor Savannah Guthrie. The post sparked a backlash from thousands of people who were confused and concerned, as Nancy Guthrie has been missing for 75 days.

Why it matters

The sheriff's department's message was misleading and caused unnecessary distress for Savannah Guthrie and her family, who have been searching for Nancy Guthrie since her disappearance. The incident highlights the need for law enforcement to be clear and transparent when providing updates on missing persons cases.

The details

The Pima County Sheriff's Department posted the message 'Nancy has been located' on X late Thursday evening, leading thousands of people to believe that Nancy Guthrie had been found. However, Nancy Guthrie, the mother of 'Today' anchor Savannah Guthrie, has been missing for 75 days, and the sheriff's department has not provided any updates on the status of the search.

  • Nancy Guthrie has been missing for 75 days.
  • The Pima County Sheriff's Department posted the 'Nancy has been located' message late Thursday evening.

The players

Pima County Sheriff's Department

The law enforcement agency responsible for the misleading 'Nancy has been located' message.

Savannah Guthrie

The 'Today' anchor whose mother, Nancy Guthrie, has been missing for 75 days.

Nancy Guthrie

The missing mother of 'Today' anchor Savannah Guthrie, who has been missing for 75 days.

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The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of law enforcement providing clear and accurate information when communicating about missing persons cases, in order to avoid causing further distress for the families involved.