blood was found inside the missing 84-year-old’s house
Blood was found inside the missing 84-year-old’s house

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has taken a troubling new turn as investigators examine reported blood evidence found outside her Arizona home.

According to law enforcement sources and media reports, what began as a missing-person case has now escalated into a far more serious and complex investigation, with authorities continuing to treat the scene as a potential crime.

Reported blood evidence raises stakes

New reporting indicates that blood-like spatters were observed outside Nancy Guthrie’s home in the Catalina Foothills area north of Tucson. Investigators have not publicly confirmed forensic test results, but officials acknowledge that the discovery significantly deepened concerns about her safety.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department has remained cautious in its public statements, emphasizing that evidence collection and laboratory analysis are ongoing.

“We are following the facts wherever they lead,” a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation said. “This is no longer being viewed as a simple disappearance.”

Authorities have not disclosed whether the blood has been definitively linked to Nancy Guthrie, nor have they commented on how long it may have been there.

Read more: Who Is Nancy Guthrie? Savannah Guthrie’s Missing Mother: Husband, and Children

Nancy Guthrie and Savannah Guthrie pictured together
Nancy Guthrie and Savannah Guthrie pictured together

Home remains an active crime scene

Nancy Guthrie’s residence has remained sealed off for days as forensic teams continue processing both the interior and exterior of the property. Detectives specializing in major crimes have been assigned to the case, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

Officials have declined to say whether there were signs of forced entry or a struggle, but they have consistently stated that the conditions at the home were “inconsistent with a voluntary departure.”

Investigators are now carefully reconstructing the final hours before Nancy Guthrie vanished late on the evening of January 31.

Why investigators are deeply concerned

Several factors have heightened alarm among law enforcement:

  • Nancy Guthrie does not suffer from dementia or cognitive decline, ruling out common wandering scenarios.

  • She had limited mobility and could not walk long distances unassisted.

  • She relied on daily prescription medication critical to her health, which she did not take with her.

  • Family members reported no plans for travel or visitors that night.

Taken together, officials say these details point away from an accidental disappearance.

“This is someone who required routine and stability,” one investigator noted. “The circumstances do not add up.”

Read more: Savannah Guthrie’s Mother Missing: Police Find Troubling Evidence as Arizona Search Intensifies

Search and evidence review expand

In response to the new developments, investigators have widened their efforts. The sheriff’s department confirmed that teams are:

  • Reviewing additional surveillance footage from nearby homes and streets

  • Re-interviewing neighbors and known contacts

  • Analyzing forensic samples collected from the scene

  • Following up on tips that came in after national coverage increased

Authorities are also working to establish a clearer timeline of movements in and around the home on the night Nancy Guthrie was last seen.

Savannah Guthrie and family response

Savannah Guthrie has remained in Arizona and has continued her absence from NBC’s Today. Through a family statement shared on air, she expressed gratitude for law enforcement’s work and the public’s concern.

“Our focus is on finding my mother and understanding what happened,” the statement said. “We are thankful for the outpouring of support and ask anyone with information to come forward.”

Colleagues and viewers nationwide have voiced support, while the network has avoided speculation during coverage.

What police are not confirming

Despite the alarming reports, investigators have stressed that key details remain confidential. They have not confirmed:

  • Whether the blood evidence definitively belongs to Nancy Guthrie

  • Whether a specific crime has been established

  • Whether there are suspects or persons of interest

Officials say releasing partial or unverified information could jeopardize the investigation.

A case under intense scrutiny

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has drawn national and international attention, not only because of her daughter’s prominence, but also because elderly missing-person cases rarely involve crime scene designations and forensic evidence of this nature.

Authorities continue to emphasize that there is no known threat to the broader public, but they acknowledge the case is now among their highest priorities.

“One piece of information could change everything,” an investigator said. “We are urging anyone who saw something unusual to speak up.”

What happens next

In the coming days, law enforcement is expected to:

  • Await lab results from collected forensic samples

  • Refine the timeline of events from January 31

  • Continue analyzing tips and digital evidence

Until then, Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts remain unknown, and her family waits for answers.

FAQs

Who is Nancy Guthrie?

Nancy Guthrie is the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie.

What new evidence has emerged?

Reports indicate investigators observed blood-like spatters outside her Arizona home, now under forensic analysis.

Is the case considered criminal?

Police have designated the home a crime scene and are treating the disappearance as suspicious.

Does Nancy Guthrie have health issues?

She had limited mobility and required daily medication but did not have cognitive impairment.

Have any arrests been made?

No arrests or suspects have been publicly identified.