Guthrie Case Highlights Fight to Support Missing Persons' Families

With more than 40,000 missing persons reports in Texas in 2025, advocates say resources and awareness are critical.

Savannah Guthrie is set to return to TODAY on NBC on Monday, as the investigation into the disappearance of her mother continues.

The case of Nancy Guthrie has drawn national attention, shining a spotlight on missing persons cases across the country. Each year, thousands of families face similar heartbreak and uncertainty.

One organization working to support those families is the Texas Center for the Missing (TCFTM), which provides resources for families, assists law enforcement, and aids in search efforts.

“Families just need to feel heard, and they need to know that people care,” said TCFTM CEO Mel Turnquist. “There are tools, resources, and people actively looking for their loved ones.”

The Texas Center for the Missing has been serving communities for 25 years and operates a 24/7 on-call team ready to assist families in crisis. The organization also works closely with law enforcement to ensure agencies are aware of available alert systems.

In 2025, more than 40,000 missing persons reports were filed in Texas. Of those, approximately 28,000 involved children or teens, while around 12,000 involved adults.

“We can contact local hospitals, we can contact local homeless shelters to place notes on case records,” Turnquist said.

Throughout the year, the organization works to provide hope and answers to families.

“Get answers for the families. Even if the answer is sad, traumatizing, or catastrophic, many families will share that it is better to have an answer than to keep wondering,” Turnquist said. “It’s never going to be okay, but at least they can begin moving toward healing instead of constantly asking, ‘Is my loved one okay? Are they safe? Are they hurting?’”

Turnquist noted that families in crisis often don’t know what options are available to them. TCFTM aims to ensure they avoid mistakes that could make an already difficult situation worse.

“We encourage families to file a missing persons report with law enforcement right away,” Turnquist said. “We also remind them not to include personal information on missing persons flyers, as bad actors may use that information to re-victimize families.”

She added an important clarification: “There is no 24-hour waiting period to report a missing person in Texas, and there never has been, for any age, despite what some television shows have suggested over the years.”

The Texas Center for the Missing has also compiled photos and information on Texans who have been missing for extended periods, helping keep their cases visible and active.