As the search for Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “TODAY” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, surpasses the three-week mark, her neighbor, Laura Gargano, who is on the board of the local neighborhood association, is reflecting on her disappearance. She also described the strong sense of unity in their neighborhood, noting how members of the community have come together to show their support for her family during this difficult time.
Guthrie was last seen on the evening of Jan. 31, when she was dropped off at home shortly before 10 p.m., according to a timeline provided by Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos. Her doorbell camera disconnected at 1:47 a.m. on Feb. 1. Her pacemaker disconnected from her phone less than an hour later. Her family reported missing later that day.
Nanos has said investigators believe she was taken in the middle of the night. Authorities have not identified a possible motive, nor have they identified any possible suspects.
Guthrie’s Neighbor Describes Her as ‘Open’ & ‘Warm’
Getty“It breaks my heart,” Gargano told PEOPLE in a recent video. “And I don’t want to imagine what she may have gone through when she was taken.”
“The neighbors that I’ve spoken with, I know that we all feel, just really sorrowful that she and her family have had to go through this without any answers,” she said.
“She was just a really open, warm person,” Gargano added. “Many of our neighbors have put out yellow ribbons as a sign of solidarity and support for the family. We stand with you. We are here for you. At this point, I think people feel there isn’t a lot that we individually might be able to do, but this is a way to stand together. And I think many of us are ready and available to help if there were something we could do. I think it’s been a fairly traumatic experience for many people, not knowing why, where, or how, exactly. I think having answers to those questions will be immensely helpful.”
Gargano continued, “Things, I think, for people were on hold. And now, we are realizing that this could take some time, and we haven’t forgotten.”
“Even though Nancy isn’t part of my family, I think I can understand when family members go missing. I mean, how do you do it?” Gargano asked. “I just hope that they find some peace, however that lends itself, whatever the conclusion is that Savannah and her family find some peace.”
Neighbors Decorate With Yellow Ribbons to Show Support
GettyAmid the ongoing search for Guthrie, her neighbors showed their support for her family by tying yellow ribbons around trees, cactuses, and mailboxes near her home.
Gargano told PEOPLE at the time that the idea came from another local resident and explained the meaning behind the color.
“Some of us put flowers at the front of Nancy’s house, while others who may not have wanted to go down to Nancy’s house, put ribbons on their mailboxes,” Gargano told the outlet. “The yellow ribbon is a sentiment of hope and support after someone goes missing. I believe the use of the yellow ribbons goes back to hostage-taking in the 1970s.”
