Sheriff Says Search for Missing Arizona Woman Could Take 'Months or Years'

Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC host Savannah Guthrie, has been missing for over two weeks.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The sheriff leading the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie in Tucson, Arizona has said the search could take "months or years" to find her. Guthrie was last seen at her home on January 31, and was reported missing on February 1. Authorities have seized a Range Rover SUV from a nearby restaurant but have not made any arrests so far.

Why it matters

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of a high-profile TV news anchor, has garnered significant national attention and raises concerns about public safety in the Tucson area. The sheriff's comments about the potentially lengthy timeline for the investigation also highlight the challenges law enforcement can face in missing persons cases.

The details

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told the New York Times that the search for Nancy Guthrie could take "months or years" to resolve. Authorities seized a Range Rover SUV from a restaurant near Guthrie's home on Friday night, but no arrests have been made so far. The investigation into Guthrie's disappearance entered its second week on Saturday.

  • Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her Tucson home on January 31, 2026.
  • Guthrie was reported missing on February 1, 2026.
  • The search for Guthrie entered its second week on Saturday, February 15, 2026.

The players

Nancy Guthrie

The mother of NBC host Savannah Guthrie, who has been missing from her Tucson home since January 31, 2026.

Chris Nanos

The Pima County Sheriff leading the investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.

Savannah Guthrie

The NBC host whose mother, Nancy Guthrie, has been missing since January 31, 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Maybe it's an hour from now. Maybe it's weeks or months or years from now. But we won't quit. We're going to find Nancy. We're going to find this guy.”

— Chris Nanos, Pima County Sheriff (New York Times)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow any suspects out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges law enforcement can face in missing persons investigations, which can sometimes take months or even years to resolve. It also underscores the national attention and concern generated by the disappearance of a family member of a high-profile TV news anchor.