Volunteers Search for Missing 'Today' Show Host's Mother in Arizona Desert

Authorities urge volunteers to stop searching on their own for Nancy Guthrie, who disappeared three weeks ago.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 12:22am

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The disappearance of 'Today' show host Savannah Guthrie's mother, Nancy Guthrie, 84, has inspired a small number of volunteers to launch their own searches in the dense desert near her home in Tucson, Arizona, in hopes of cracking the case. Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was kidnapped, abducted or taken against her will, and have asked people not to search on their own, saying the work is best left to professionals. Despite the sheriff's request, volunteers have continued to look, with a small group reporting finding a black backpack that did not turn out to be a viable lead.

Why it matters

The case has drawn significant public attention, with hundreds of people working the investigation and more than 20,000 tips received. The constant presence of news crews, bloggers and curious onlookers has drawn mixed reactions from neighbors, highlighting the challenges law enforcement faces in high-profile missing persons cases.

The details

Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was kidnapped, abducted or taken against her will from her home just outside Tucson on January 31. Drops of her blood were found on the front porch, but authorities have not revealed much other evidence. The Pima County Sheriff's Department has asked volunteers to give investigators space to do their jobs, saying 'We all want to find Nancy, but this work is best left to professionals.' Despite this request, a small group of volunteers, including two women from the group Madres Buscadoras de Sonora, have continued to search the desert, with one group reporting finding a black backpack that did not turn out to be a viable lead.

  • Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home on January 31.
  • Nancy Guthrie was reported missing the following day, on February 1.

The players

Nancy Guthrie

The 84-year-old mother of 'Today' show host Savannah Guthrie, who disappeared from her home just outside Tucson, Arizona three weeks ago.

Pima County Sheriff's Department

The law enforcement agency investigating Nancy Guthrie's disappearance, which has asked volunteers to stop searching on their own and give investigators space to do their jobs.

Madres Buscadoras de Sonora

A group of volunteers from Mexico who have joined the search for Nancy Guthrie, carrying digging tools and posting fliers with her picture outside her home.

Tony Estrada

The former long-time sheriff in neighboring Santa Cruz County, who said volunteer searchers have good intentions but their efforts must be coordinated with law enforcement to avoid contaminating a crime scene.

Chris Boyer

The executive director of the National Association for Search and Rescue, who said untrained volunteers showing up to help in a search can end up contaminating a crime scene, and that volunteers should undergo background checks, training, and work under the direction of law enforcement.

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What they’re saying

“We all want to find Nancy, but this work is best left to professionals.”

— Pima County Sheriff's Department (wfmj.com)

“You can't have people all over the place looking for something and not reporting to anybody or letting them know that they're going to be in that area. They may be trampling into things that may come out to be helpful in the future.”

— Tony Estrada, Former long-time sheriff in neighboring Santa Cruz County (wfmj.com)

“It's painful for law enforcement when that happens.”

— Chris Boyer, Executive director of the National Association for Search and Rescue (wfmj.com)

What’s next

The Pima County Sheriff's Department has said several hundred people are working the Guthrie investigation, and more than 20,000 tips have been received. The FBI and other agencies are assisting, and the sheriff's office has been watching around the clock at Guthrie's house and enacted a temporary one-way flow on the road to allow emergency vehicles and trash collection trucks to get through.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in high-profile missing persons cases, where well-intentioned volunteers can inadvertently contaminate a crime scene despite their desire to help. Coordinating search efforts with authorities is crucial to ensure the investigation is not compromised.