The search for Nancy Guthrie, mother of Savannah Guthrie, co-host of NBC’s Today show, entered its sixth day on Saturday as authorities continue to investigate a new message related to her disappearance. While investigators believe the 84-year-old is “still out there,” they have admitted they have no proof she is alive, according to reports.
Camron Guthrie, Savannah’s brother, made a public plea on Thursday for the kidnapper to make contact with the family. “Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you. We haven’t heard anything directly,” he said in a video posted to social media. “We need you to reach out, and we need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward,” he continued, echoing a statement his sister made the previous day.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos stated that authorities have not identified any suspects or persons of interest in the case, which began over the weekend when Nancy Guthrie was reportedly taken against her will from her Tucson home. DNA testing confirmed that blood found on the front porch of the residence matched Nancy Guthrie’s.
“Right now, we believe Nancy is still out there. We want her home,” Sheriff Nanos said at a news conference. He acknowledged, however, that authorities currently have no evidence to suggest she is safe.
Demands for Ransom
Investigators are taking seriously ransom notes that have been sent to several media outlets. Heith Janke, the FBI chief in Phoenix, detailed that the notes included a demand for money with a deadline of Thursday evening, and a secondary deadline of Monday if the initial demand wasn’t met. At least one note specifically mentioned a floodlight at Guthrie’s home and an Apple watch, Janke said.
“To anyone who may be involved, do the right thing. This is an 84-year-old grandma,” Janke urged.
At least three media organizations received what they believed to be ransom notes, which were subsequently turned over to investigators. Authorities made one arrest after determining that one of the notes was a hoax, according to the sheriff.
KOLD-TV news anchor Mary Coleman told CNN that a note emailed to the Tucson station on Monday contained information that only the abductor would likely know. “When we saw some of those details, it was clear after a couple of sentences that this might not be a hoax,” she said.
Sheriff Nanos indicated that it’s possible Nancy Guthrie was specifically targeted, but investigators have yet to determine if this is due to her daughter’s high profile as a television news anchor.
Authorities have stated that any decision regarding fulfilling ransom demands ultimately rests with the family.
On Wednesday, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings released a message appealing to her mother’s kidnapper, expressing their willingness to communicate but requesting proof of their mother’s continued well-being. As of Thursday, there had been no response to their plea.
New Timeline of Guthrie’s Disappearance
Investigators have pieced together a more detailed timeline of events following Nancy Guthrie’s last confirmed sighting on Saturday night. She was reportedly eating dinner and playing games with family members before being dropped off at her home in an upscale neighborhood.
Approximately four hours later, just before 2:00 a.m. On Sunday, the doorbell camera at the residence was disconnected. However, Sheriff Nanos noted that Guthrie did not have an active subscription to the doorbell camera service, preventing the recovery of any footage.
Software data recorded movement at the home minutes after the camera was disabled, though the sheriff acknowledged this movement could have been caused by an animal.
At 2:28 a.m., the app on Guthrie’s pacemaker disconnected from her phone.
Search Enters a Fifth Day
Nancy Guthrie was reported missing shortly before noon on Sunday after failing to appear at a scheduled church service.
While capable of driving and possessing a sharp mind, the sheriff stated that Guthrie experiences difficulty walking even short distances and requires daily medication vital to her health. A sheriff’s dispatcher confirmed during the search that Guthrie has high blood pressure, a pacemaker, and heart issues.
Investigators conducted another search in and around Guthrie’s home on Wednesday. The FBI announced on Thursday a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the case’s resolution. President Donald Trump also stated he had directed federal authorities to assist where possible.
The kidnapping has garnered significant public attention, drawing comparisons to other high-profile abduction cases in U.S. History.
Savannah Guthrie’s Emotional Plea
Savannah Guthrie has been a co-anchor of NBC’s Today show for over a decade and was originally scheduled to co-host the network’s coverage of the Winter Olympics opening ceremony. She has remained near her mother’s home during the search.
Alongside her siblings, she issued an emotional plea on social media on Wednesday, stating their readiness to communicate with the kidnapper. “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,” she said, visibly emotional.
Addressing her mother directly, she expressed the family’s prayers and assured her that people were actively searching for her. Her sister, Annie Guthrie, added, “Mamma, If you’re listening, we need you to come home. We miss you.”
