Today Show host Savannah Guthrie pleads for prayers as sheriff treats mother Nancy’s disappearance as a crime

Savannah Guthrie has asked for prayers for her missing 84-year-old mother, Nancy. Photo / Getty Images

Savannah Guthrie has asked people to keep praying for her mother to be brought “home”.

The Today Show host has praised her 84-year-old mother Nancy – who went missing on January 31 from her home in Arizona – as a “woman of deep conviction” and faith as she thanked everyone for their support during a difficult time.

She wrote on Instagram: “We believe in prayer. we believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope. we believe in goodness. we believe in humanity. above all, we believe in Him.

“Thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant.

“Raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment. we need you.

“‘He will keep in perfect peace those whose hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.’ a verse of Isaiah for all time for all of us.

“Bring her home.”

Her post came shortly after the Prime County Sheriff Chris Nanos emphasised that Nancy “did not leave” the property alone.

Speaking at a news conference on Monday, he said: “We do in fact have a crime scene. She did not leave on her own. We know that”.

He added: “Taken against her will includes possible kidnapping or abduction”.

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Nanos explained that law enforcement officials have been reviewing video footage from cameras at Nancy’s home and have implored her neighbours to “go through their Ring cameras” as well.

The sheriff revealed that Guthrie needs to take medication on a daily basis and stressed that “it could be fatal” if she fails to do so.

He also explained that Nancy had “no cognitive issues” and would not have been able to leave the property alone because of mobility issues.

Nanos said: “This is not dementia-related. She’s as sharp as a tack. The family wants everyone to know that this isn’t someone who just wandered off.

“She couldn’t walk 50 yards by herself.”

The sheriff has asked members of the public to come forward if they have any information relating to the case.

He said: “I need this community to step up and start giving us some calls”.

Nanos had suggested on Sunday – after Savannah’s mother had been reported missing – that foul play couldn’t be ruled out in Nancy’s disappearance because of “concerning evidence”, although he did not elaborate further.

He explained: “You don’t typically get the sheriff out at a scene like this, but it’s very concerning what we’re learning from the house.

“This one stood out because of what was described to us at the scene and what we found and located just in looking at the scene.”

And Savannah – who did not appear on Today on Monday – said in a statement issued to the NBC morning show: “On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support.

“Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear Nancy.

“We thank law enforcement for their hard work on this case, and encourage anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.”