The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie, has taken an even more alarming turn after authorities confirmed her Tucson home is now being treated as a crime scene — and warned that she may not survive more than 24 hours without her daily medication.

On Monday morning, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos delivered a grim update that underscored the urgency of the situation and sent shockwaves through both the Guthrie family and the wider public.

“We need her back. We need to find her, and time is very critical,” Nanos said during a press conference. “This is not a routine missing-persons case.”

Nancy Guthrie, described by those who know her as mentally sharp but physically frail, has limited mobility and depends on daily medication to manage serious health conditions. According to law enforcement, missing even a short window of doses could be life-threatening.

Authorities say Nancy was last seen at approximately 9:45 p.m. on Saturday night, when family members dropped her off at her ranch-style home in Tucson, Arizona. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary at the time. There were no signs of distress, no reports of suspicious activity, and no indication that anything was wrong.

By Sunday morning, however, concern quickly mounted.

Nancy failed to attend her usual church service, something friends and family say was highly uncharacteristic. Repeated attempts to reach her went unanswered. By noon Sunday, authorities received what Sheriff Nanos described as a “distressing call” reporting her disappearance.

When deputies arrived at the home, what they found immediately raised red flags.

Nanos confirmed that evidence recovered from inside the house was “concerning”, prompting investigators to formally designate the residence as a crime scene.

While officials have deliberately withheld specific details to protect the investigation, the language used by law enforcement has been strikingly serious. Detectives do not believe Nancy left voluntarily.

Her cellphone, wallet, car, and medication were all found at the house — details that strongly suggest she did not plan to go anywhere, let alone disappear overnight. Given her limited ability to walk long distances, investigators say it would have been nearly impossible for her to leave on her own without assistance.

“This is not someone who just picked up and left,” one law enforcement source said. “The circumstances don’t support that.”

The decision to treat the home as a crime scene indicates investigators are actively pursuing the possibility of foul play, even as they stop short of publicly confirming every theory under consideration.

Perhaps the most chilling aspect of the sheriff’s update centered on Nancy’s medical needs.

“She requires daily medication,” Nanos stressed. “Without it, her health could deteriorate rapidly.”

Law enforcement officials fear that every passing hour dramatically reduces her chances of survival, especially if she is being held somewhere without access to medical care. The 24-hour window mentioned by police has become a haunting countdown for both investigators and the family.

Despite her physical ailments, authorities emphasized one critical point: Nancy has no cognitive impairments. She is fully aware, mentally sharp, and capable of making rational decisions — another reason police believe her disappearance was not accidental.

As the investigation intensified, Savannah Guthrie stepped away from her role on Today, with NBC confirming she is focusing entirely on her family during this crisis. Colleagues have spoken openly about how shaken they are, describing the situation as “deeply personal” and “heartbreaking.”

On air and behind the scenes, the Today show team has rallied around Guthrie, with co-anchors visibly emotional as they addressed the developing story. Several have publicly urged viewers to keep the Guthrie family in their thoughts and prayers.

For a woman who has spent years calmly guiding viewers through tragedies and breaking news, Guthrie is now living a nightmare of her own — waiting, hoping, and fearing for her mother’s life.

Sheriff Nanos made a direct appeal to the public, urging anyone who may have seen or heard something — no matter how insignificant it seems — to come forward immediately.

“We are asking neighbors, anyone with security cameras, anyone who was in the area late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, please check your footage,” he said. “What you think is nothing could be everything.”

Authorities are reviewing surveillance video, canvassing nearby neighborhoods, and following up on tips as they come in. Multiple agencies are assisting, and resources have been expanded due to the seriousness of the case.

Nanos also addressed the possibility that someone may be holding Nancy against her will, issuing a plea that cut through the procedural language of law enforcement.

“If someone has her, we are asking you to do the right thing,” he said. “Let her go. Call us. We just want her home.”

As of Monday evening, Nancy Guthrie had still not been located. Her home has been processed, evidence cataloged, and investigators continue working around the clock. Yet the sense of urgency continues to escalate.

This is not just a missing person case. It is a race against time — against failing health, against unanswered questions, and against the terrifying possibility that Nancy Guthrie’s life hangs in the balance.

For Savannah Guthrie and her family, every minute without answers is unbearable. And for investigators, the mission is painfully clear: find Nancy — before it’s too late.