Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, remained missing as the search for her entered its fifth day Thursday. Investigators said they had no proof she was still alive but continued to hope she was “still out there.”
Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was taken from her Tucson home against her will over the weekend. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said no suspects or persons of interest have been identified in the case.
Investigators found blood on Guthrie’s porch and it was later confirmed it belongs to her.
“Right now, we believe Nancy is still out there. We want her home,” Nanos said at a news conference, while acknowledging authorities had no proof she was OK.
Investigators said the case had intensified as ransom notes sent to multiple media outlets were being treated as credible. Authorities also released a more detailed timeline from the hours after Guthrie was last seen.
The notes demanded money with a deadline set for Thursday evening and a second deadline for Monday if the first was not met, said Heith Janke, the FBI chief in Phoenix. The messages also included details about a floodlight at Guthrie’s home and an Apple Watch.
TMZ reported that a note sent to its newsroom demanded millions of dollars in bitcoin and described damage to Guthrie’s home that was believed to have occurred during her abduction. Authorities said it was unclear whether that description was accurate.
“To anyone who may be involved, do the right thing. This is an 84-year-old grandma,” Janke said.
Authorities said any decision on ransom demands ultimately rested with the family.
Timeline of the disappearance
Nancy Guthrie spent Saturday night eating dinner and playing games with family members before one of them dropped her off at her home in a well-to-do Tucson neighborhood, according to the sheriff.
About four hours later, just before 2 am Sunday, the home’s doorbell camera was disconnected, Nanos said. Because Guthrie did not have an active subscription, the company was unable to recover any video footage.
Minutes later, software data recorded movement at the home, though Nanos said the activity could have come from an animal. At 2.28 am, the app connected to Guthrie’s pacemaker was disconnected from her phone.
Guthrie was reported missing shortly before noon Sunday after she did not show up at church.
While she was able to drive, regularly attended church and was mentally sharp, the sheriff said Guthrie had difficulty walking even short distances and required daily medication that was vital to her health. During the search Sunday, a sheriff’s dispatcher said Guthrie had high blood pressure and heart issues.
Ransom notes and family plea
At least three media houses reported receiving ransom notes and turned them over to investigators. Authorities said an arrest was made after one ransom note was determined to be fake.
One note emailed Monday to the KOLD-TV newsroom in Tucson included information that only the abductor would know, anchor Mary Coleman told CNN.
In a video released by the Guthrie family Wednesday night, Savannah Guthrie struggled to hold back tears as she sat between her older siblings, Annie and Camron. She said the family was aware of the purported ransom letters and wanted to hear directly from whoever had taken their mother.
“We are ready to talk,” Savannah Guthrie said in the video. “However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know, without a doubt, that she is alive, and that you have her.”
Fighting back tears, Guthrie said the situation was becoming increasingly urgent.
In a separate video posted on social media Thursday, Nancy Guthrie’s son Camron said the family had still not heard directly from the person or people responsible for her disappearance.
“Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you,” he said. “We need you to reach out and we need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward.
“But first,” he added, “we have to know that you have our mom.”
US President pledges support
President Donald Trump spoke with Guthrie by phone Wednesday and later said on social media that he had directed all federal law enforcement agencies to assist her and local police.
“I spoke with Savannah Guthrie, and let her know that I am directing ALL Federal Law Enforcement to be at the family's, and Local Law Enforcement's, complete disposal, IMMEDIATELY. We are deploying all resources to get her mother home safely. The prayers of our Nation are with her and her family. GOD BLESS AND PROTECT NANCY!” said Trump in a post on Truth Social.
Nancy Guthrie is a retired communications professional and longtime volunteer who is often seen around her Tucson community, according to those who knew her. She lives in a quiet, wealthy area of the Catalina Foothills north of Tucson, where homes are spread across large lots and are not part of a gated community.