Savannah Guthrie’s Mother: Family ‘Will Pay’ After Kidnapping Plea

Savannah Guthrie, the co-anchor of NBC News’ Today show, has made a desperate plea for the safe return of her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, who has been missing since January 31st. In a video posted on Saturday, February 6th, Guthrie addressed the potential kidnappers directly, stating, “We received your message and we understand. We beg you now to return our mother to us, so that we can celebrate with her.” She added, poignantly, “This is the only way we will have peace,” and offered to pay for her mother’s release, saying, “This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.”

Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home near Tucson, Arizona, on the evening of January 31st. She was reported missing the following day when she failed to appear at church, according to reports. Law enforcement officials have determined that she was kidnapped, though the Pima County Sheriff’s Department has yet to identify any suspects or persons of interest in the case.

The plea for Nancy Guthrie’s return comes after a message was sent to Tucson-based television station KOLD on Friday, February 5th. Kevin Smith, a spokesperson for the FBI office in Phoenix, confirmed the receipt of the message. KOLD declined to release details of the message’s contents while the FBI conducts its review. The station, along with NBC News, reportedly received alleged ransom letters during the week, though no law enforcement agency has yet substantiated their authenticity.

In the video plea, Guthrie was joined by her siblings, Cameron and Annie. The family’s emotional appeal underscores the growing concern for Nancy Guthrie’s well-being as the search enters its second week. The FBI is currently investigating the case, and authorities are seeking any information that might lead to Nancy Guthrie’s safe return.

Sky News correspondent Martha Kelner described the situation as “a huge mystery,” noting the lack of leads and the absence of any identified suspects. Kelner also reported that the sender of the message to KOLD appeared to have used a secure server to conceal their IP address, suggesting a level of sophistication. She added that the new note “the senders believe will indicate to investigators that they are the same person or people that sent the original note.”

Authorities are currently investigating a vehicle or vehicles that may be connected to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. A spokesperson for the Circle K convenience store chain confirmed that officers visited one of their locations after receiving a tip regarding a vehicle of interest and were granted access to the store’s surveillance video.

The case has drawn significant media attention, with news outlets across the country following the developments closely. The Guthrie family’s public appeal reflects the desperation and hope that Nancy Guthrie will be returned home safely. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has asked anyone with information regarding Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance to come forward.