Savannah Guthrie, co-anchor of the "Today" show, publicly implored the individuals responsible for the abduction of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, to release her safely, emphasizing the family's readiness to fulfill any financial demands to ensure her return. The 84-year-old resident of Arizona has been missing for nearly a week, prompting an intense and ongoing search effort.
In a recent video shared on social media, Savannah, joined by her siblings, conveyed a heartfelt message: "We have received your communication and fully comprehend the situation. We earnestly ask you to bring our mother back so we can continue to celebrate her presence. This is the sole path to restoring our peace. Her safe return is invaluable to us, and we are prepared to pay." This declaration responds directly to a message sent to Tucson's KOLD television station on Friday afternoon, as confirmed by Kevin Smith, a spokesperson for the FBI's Phoenix office.
KOLD acknowledged receipt of an email associated with the Guthrie case circulated on social media but withheld specific details pending an FBI review. They were among several media outlets to receive purported ransom letters during the week, including one that stipulated financial demands alongside deadlines set for Thursday and the following Monday evening.
During a Thursday news briefing, law enforcement refrained from verifying the authenticity of the ransom letters but confirmed that all information was being rigorously examined. One such letter referenced Nancy Guthrie's Apple Watch and a distinctive feature of her property, further intriguing investigators.
Saturday marked the release of the third video this week urging the abductors to return Guthrie.
Investigators believe that Nancy Guthrie was forcibly taken from her residence just outside Tucson last weekend. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos reported that DNA evidence, specifically blood found on the front porch, matched Nancy Guthrie. Despite these findings, authorities have not publicly identified any suspects or excluded any individuals from inquiry.
The investigation faced setbacks, notably when a security camera at the Guthrie home failed to capture footage of the events coinciding with the disappearance. Officials revealed the doorbell camera was disconnected early Sunday, though software logs showed movement moments later. Unfortunately, lack of an active subscription meant no recoverable images were available.
The sheriff expressed disappointment with the missing visual evidence, noting the hope raised by the potential existence of footage was ultimately unfulfilled. "It's concerning; you get your hopes up, thinking there's an image, but we do not," he told the Associated Press.
President Donald Trump, interviewed aboard Air Force One on Friday, remarked that the investigation was progressing well. He indicated promising leads and suggested that breakthroughs might emerge shortly.
Law enforcement teams continued their search efforts in Nancy Guthrie’s neighborhood on Friday. Road access near her home was restricted to facilitate investigative activities, and journalists covering the story were required to relocate. The Catalina Foothills Association, representing the neighborhood, informed residents of the immediate resumption of search operations and expressed gratitude for community cooperation in speaking to police, sharing camera footage, and granting property access.
The sheriff acknowledged the challenges technology poses in such cases, clarifying the absence of straightforward images or easily identifiable suspects. Information from technological sources has been limited, preventing further data retrieval.
Regarding the ransom letters, the sheriff deferred to the FBI, which manages that element of the investigation, and reported no new developments.
Attention has sharpened on the health and well-being of the missing elderly woman. Officials confirmed that Nancy Guthrie requires daily essential medications and suffers from several medical conditions, including possessing a pacemaker, hypertension, and other heart-related issues. With each passing day, concerns about her deterioration intensify, compounded by uncertainty over whether she is receiving necessary treatment while in captivity.
The case remains a focal point for national attention, with federal support mobilized to assist local authorities in resolving the situation.