Authorities Hold Hope for Missing Mother of Savannah Guthrie Amid Ransom Note Investigation
Investigators currently possess no concrete evidence indicating that the missing mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie is still alive. However, authorities are maintaining hope that 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie remains "still out there," according to a statement from the Pima County Sheriff in Arizona on Thursday.
Desperate Search Enters Fifth Day Without Suspects
Five days into the intensive search for Nancy Guthrie, authorities have not identified any suspects or persons of interest, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed. The investigation took a grim turn when DNA tests revealed that blood discovered on Nancy Guthrie's porch matched her own. This finding has led investigators to believe she was forcibly taken from her Tucson home against her will over the weekend.
"Right now, we believe Nancy is still out there. We want her home," Sheriff Nanos declared during a news conference held five days after her disappearance was reported. Despite this public expression of hope, the sheriff acknowledged that authorities currently lack any proof confirming her safety or well-being.
Chilling Ransom Note with Specific Details
Investigators have released a more detailed timeline from the hours following Nancy Guthrie's last sighting on Saturday night. Simultaneously, they are treating with utmost seriousness a ransom note that was sent to several media outlets. FBI Chief Heith Janke from Phoenix revealed that the note contained a monetary demand with an initial deadline set for Thursday evening, followed by a secondary deadline on Monday if the first was not met.
Disturbingly, the note included specific details about a floodlight at Guthrie's residence and an Apple watch, information that would likely only be known to someone involved in her disappearance. "To anyone who may be involved, do the right thing. This is an 84-year-old grandma," Janke appealed during the briefing. Authorities emphasized that any decision regarding ransom demands ultimately rests with the Guthrie family.
Family's Emotional Plea for Proof of Life
A day prior to the sheriff's update, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings released a heartfelt message directed at their mother's kidnapper. They expressed their readiness to engage in dialogue but insisted on receiving proof that their mother remains alive. "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," Savannah Guthrie stated while visibly fighting back tears.
Flanked by her sister Annie and brother Camron, Savannah directly addressed her missing mother: "Mamma, If you're listening, we need you to come home. We miss you." Annie Guthrie echoed this emotional plea. Despite these public appeals, there has been no public response from the kidnapper as of Thursday.
Detailed Timeline of Disappearance Emerges
Sheriff Nanos provided a comprehensive timeline of Nancy Guthrie's disappearance. She spent Saturday evening enjoying dinner and playing games with family members before being dropped off at her home in an affluent Tucson neighborhood. Approximately four hours later, just before 2 a.m. on Sunday, the doorbell camera at her home was disconnected. Unfortunately, Guthrie did not maintain an active subscription with the camera company, preventing the recovery of any potential video footage.
Software data recorded movement at the residence minutes after the camera disruption, though the sheriff noted this motion could have been caused by an animal. Then, at 2:28 a.m., the application connected to Guthrie's pacemaker was disconnected from her phone, marking another critical moment in the timeline.
Medical Concerns and Search Efforts
Nancy Guthrie was reported missing shortly before noon on Sunday after failing to appear at her regular church service. While she remains capable of driving, regularly attends church, and maintains mental sharpness, she experiences significant difficulty walking even short distances, according to Sheriff Nanos. Additionally, she requires daily medication that is vital to her health. A sheriff's dispatcher revealed during the initial search that Guthrie suffers from high blood pressure and heart issues, based on audio obtained from broadcastify.com.
Investigators conducted another extensive search in and around Nancy Guthrie's home for several hours on Wednesday, underscoring the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Multiple Ransom Notes and Media Involvement
At least three media organizations have reported receiving purported ransom notes, all of which have been handed over to investigators. Authorities have already made one arrest after determining that a ransom note was fabricated, Sheriff Nanos confirmed.
One particularly chilling note emailed Monday to the KOLD-TV newsroom in Tucson contained information that only the abductor would likely know, according to anchor Mary Coleman. "When we saw some of those details, it was clear after a couple of sentences that this might not be a hoax," Coleman explained in an interview aired Wednesday, highlighting the seriousness with which authorities are treating these communications.
