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| Savannah and Nancy Guthrie |
Tucson radio host and longtime family friend Bill Buckmaster described the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie—the 84-year-old mother of NBC's Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie—as a "living nightmare" for the Arizona community, particularly Tucson, in recent interviews including those aired on NBC News.
Nancy Guthrie vanished from her home in the Catalina Foothills area of Tucson on the evening of January 31, 2026. Authorities, led by the Pima County Sheriff's Office with FBI assistance, are investigating it as an abduction—she was taken against her will. The case remains active into its fourth week with thousands of tips received, analysis of evidence such as gloves and possible DNA, doorbell camera footage, and other leads under review, but no resolution or major public breakthroughs announced.
Buckmaster compared the collective shock and emotional toll to the 2011 Gabrielle Giffords shooting, highlighting community unity through widespread symbols of support: yellow ribbons on trees, yellow roses, wristbands, and "Bring Nancy Home" signs.
As a veteran Tucson broadcast journalist with decades in radio and TV—currently hosting a program on 1030 The Voice (KVOI) covering news, interviews, and community issues—Buckmaster has a personal tie to the family. He worked with Savannah Guthrie in her early journalism days, likely in the Tucson area before her rise to national prominence, making the ordeal especially poignant.
Buckmaster expressed strong support for the Guthrie family amid their grief, urging the public to avoid speculation and rumors—particularly on social media—and to stop clogging tip lines with unhelpful theories. Instead, he called for providing concrete, actionable information to investigators.
He praised the sheriff's transparency, based on his long acquaintance, and encouraged trust in law enforcement's detective work and FBI collaboration without premature criticism.
His comments reflect deep community sorrow, a plea for responsible involvement, and faith-rooted optimism that Nancy will be found safely, while underscoring the profound impact on everyone involved.
The intensive search continues with hundreds of investigators pursuing leads.