Savannah Guthrie's Mom Nancy Is 'Alive,' Sheriff Believes: 'We Want to Save Her'

The Pima County Sheriff's Department remains optimistic in the search for Today show host Savannah Guthrie's 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie.

“We have nothing else to go on but the belief that she is here,” Sheriff Chris Nanos during a Today show appearance on Wednesday, February 4. “She’s present. She’s alive, and we want to save her.”

The sheriff confirmed that his department, alongside the FBI, were sifting through "hundreds" of "critical" leads in the search for Nancy, who was last seen on January 31.

Hours earlier, the sheriff dismissed earlier reports that Savannah's brother-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, who is married to her sister Annie Guthrie, was identified as a possible suspect.

“At this point, investigators have not identified a suspect or person of interest in this case,” the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement posted via Facebook. “Detectives continue to speak with anyone who may have had contact with Mrs. Guthrie. Detectives are working closely with the Guthrie family. While we appreciate the public’s concern, the sharing of unverified accusations or false information is irresponsible and does not assist the investigation. No suspect or person of interest has been identified at this time.”

Tommaso was the last person to see Nancy before she was reported missing on February 1, when she failed to appear at her regular church service that day.

Tommaso and his wife had dinner with Nancy that evening before he drove his mother-in-law home around 9:45 p.m., waiting to ensure she safely entered her Tucson, Ariz., home, according to the sheriff.

Authorities confirmed on February 3 that signs of forced entry were found in Nancy's home, in addition to discovering a trail of blood leading out her front door.

"We took some samples that we hope would have profile of a DNA, profile that gives us some identification as to what we’re looking at," the sheriff confirmed. "We believe she was taken out of the home against her will, and that’s how this investigation is moving."

Nancy's pacemaker notably stopped syncing to her Apple Watch – which was left in her home – at around 2 a.m. the day of her disappearance.

The data offers a possible timeline of her possible abduction, as the pacemaker's information stopped transferring to the smart watch once the device was out of range.