From small-town diners in rural America to glass-panelled newsrooms in the city, it is the question on everyone’s lips: where is Nancy Guthrie?
The search for the 84-year-old mother of Savannah Guthrie, a national TV host and household name, has entered its third week.
What began as a local missing person case has become a ritual watch-and-wait for millions of Americans.
Viewers scroll, refresh and share every update – Nancy’s warm eyes and gentle smile now achingly familiar.
TV host Savannah Guthrie and her mother Nancy. Pic: NBC/Today/Reuters
Her family reported her missing when she failed to appear at church on Sunday 1 February.
Her car, phone and purse were still at her home, and police found spats of blood there.
She doesn’t have the mobility she once did, has a pacemaker and takes daily medication for high blood pressure.
Nancy Guthrie: What we know about her disappearance
Her daughter, Savannah, anchor of the Today show, pulled out of covering the Winter Olympics and made a heartfelt plea.
Seated between her brother and sister, she said they were aware of reports of ransom notes and urged anyone holding their mother to reach out.
Just as the trail appeared to be going cold, the FBI retrieved footage from a dismantled door-cam at Nancy’s home.
The pictures were shocking – a masked individual wearing gloves, a ski mask and carrying a backpack is seen near the front door.
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The FBI described the figure as a man roughly 5’9″ to 5’10” tall, of average build, with a distinct lockable backpack.
Sheriff Chris Nanos of Pima County, Arizona, later revealed that the clothing and backpack seen in the chilling video were purchased at Walmart.
FBI believe the suspect was wearing an Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack. Pic: FBI Phoenix
On Sunday, investigators said a glove, found in a field near the side of the road two miles from the home, had been sent off for DNA testing.
Donald Trump, who has spoken to Savannah Guthrie by phone, commended the “expertise and knowledge” of those working on this case.
“Hopefully, there will be a positive result!” he posted on Truth Social.
Flowers are laid outside Nancy Guthrie’s home in Arizona. Pic: AP
But it is Savannah Guthrie, whose professional life has been spent delivering news to others, who has become the face of this personal nightmare.
Her public appeals to anyone who might know something to “do the right thing” have gripped the nation.
People are watching, not because they are obligated to, but because this story touches something universal: the ache of not knowing.
