The Madres Buscadoras de Sonora (Searching Mothers of Sonora) — a group of women known for their efforts in trying to locate missing individuals — are now on the search for Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother, Nancy Guthrie.
According to a Tuesday, February 24, CNN report, some of the women arrived in Arizona to distribute flyers while others stayed in Mexico to search around the border.
CNN reported that the volunteer group — who said they were asked to help by a friend of the Guthrie family — has assisted in finding more than 5,000 people across the country, both dead and alive, since its founding in 2019.
“We are here to assist in any way we can,” organization leader Cecilia Flores told CNN. “We will do everything in our power to help this family. Nancy is a mother who deserves to be reunited with her family.”
However, the group has already faced neighbors who “came out yelling at us and telling us to leave, that it was private property,” according to member Lupita Tello.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department, who has been working on the case since the Today anchor’s mother was reported missing on February 1, told CNN, “We appreciate their concern … and we all want to find Nancy, but this work is best left to professionals.”
“[We have] volunteer opportunities if they wish to get involved with the department,” the department added. “Private property laws apply. It is up to each individual property owner to grant permission for anyone to be on their property.”
Flores said the group started after her three sons disappeared: One of them was returned by his abductors, but she still hopes she can find her two other missing children.
Savannah, 54, recently announced that her family is now offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to the recovery of Nancy, whom she acknowledged may be dead.
Though the ongoing search has thus far yielded zero suspects in the case, Savannah noted, “Someone out there knows something that can bring her home. Somebody knows, and we are begging you to please come forward now.”
Nancy was reported missing on February 1 by family members. Video footage released by authorities show a masked and “armed individual” appearing to tamper with the camera at Nancy’s front door the morning of her disappearance. She is described as 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs around 150 pounds; she has brown hair and blue eyes.
People with any information regarding the case are asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). You may also contact your local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or you can submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
