Over 500 people attended a community candlelight vigil to pray for Savannah Guthrie’s missing mom, Nancy Guthrie, at a church in Tucson, Arizona, on Wednesday, February 4.
Locals gathered at St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church to show their support for the Today show cohost’s mother, who was reported missing from her home outside of Tucson on Sunday, February 1. She was last seen on Saturday, January 31.
“What is happening is heart-wrenching, and this community needed this,” Sally Shamrell, an actress and former local reporter who worked alongside Savannah, 54, at Tucson news channel KVOA, told local outlet KOLD.
Shamrell said she helped organize Wednesday’s service after Savannah shared a plea for prayers for her mother via Instagram on Monday, February 2.
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“I thought a lot of people are feeling kind of helpless right now,” Shamrell told KOLD. “But we can’t … All we’re doing is waiting for the next alert, and that is, that is not what Savannah and the Guthries are about.”
“We need to come together, wrap our arms around each other, and lift each other up,” she added. “In hope, and you know just light and just truly bond together to just wish and hope Nancy comes home.”
In an interview with CBS News, Shamrell said that the Guthries are a “very revered family” in the local community.
“Nancy and Savannah have both contributed so much to the Tucson community,” she said. “They’re just positive contributors and very faithful women. What’s going on is absolutely heart-wrenching.”
St. Philip’s dedicated its last service of the day to Nancy, 84, and those in attendance placed lit candles on the altar. The vigil was livestreamed via the church’s official website on Wednesday night.
Pastor John Tittle, who is from Nancy’s church, St. Andrews Presbyterian, spoke at the candlelight service, per KOLD. (Nancy does not attend St. Philip’s, reported the outlet.)
“Most merciful God, we pray for our sister Nancy,” Tittle said. “Bring her swiftly to safety, and to those whom she loves.”
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is investigating Nancy’s disappearance as a crime, but said Wednesday that it had not yet identified any suspects. President Donald Trump pledged to direct “all federal law enforcement” available to the case.
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As the search for Nancy enters its fourth day, Savannah and her siblings, Annie and Camron Guthrie, shared an emotional Instagram video late Wednesday night, pleading for their mom’s safe return.
“On behalf of our family, we want to thank all of you for the prayers for our beloved mom, Nancy. We feel them and we continue to believe that she feels them too,” Savannah said in the video. “Our mom is a kind, faithful, loyal, fiercely loving woman of goodness and light. She is funny, spunky and clever. She has grandchildren who adore her and crowd around her and cover her with kisses. She loves fun and adventure. She is a devoted friend. She is full of kindness and knowledge. Talk to her and you’ll see.”
The Today show cohost also addressed alleged ransom notes sent to various media outlets earlier this week.
“We, too, have heard the reports about a ransom letter in the media,” said Savannah. “As a family, we are doing everything that we can. We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please, reach out to us.”
