TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Authorities are investigating an apparent kidnapping Nancy Guthrie returned to her Arizona neighborhood several times over the weekend, ahead of a Monday night deadline set by her alleged captors, who sent a ransom demand for her return.
Investigating what happened to the “Today” anchor’s mother. Savannah Guthrie entered the second week without yet learning whether the 84-year-old was still alive.
Savannah Guthrie said over the weekend that the family does ready to pay for her mother’s return.
“Now we are asking you to give us back our mother so we can celebrate with her,” she said in a video posted on Saturday. “Only then will we have peace. This is very valuable to us and we will pay.”
Mysterious disappearance and search has riveted the US — from President Donald Trump speaking with Savannah Guthrie last week to online detectives who flooded social media with tips, theories and rumours.
Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was taken against her will from her home just outside of Tucson. She was last seen there on January 31 and reported missing the next day after failing to attend church services. DNA tests showed that the blood on Guthrie’s front porch matched her and hers the doorbell camera was disconnected in the early hours of Sunday morning, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said.
Neighbors were out for their morning jogs and walks Monday while a county sheriff’s deputy remained standing outside the home.
Detectives and agents were conducting follow-up work at several locations over the weekend as part of the investigation, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said Sunday. “Investigators have not identified any suspects, persons of interest or vehicles associated with this case,” the department said.
Investigators were at Annie Guthrie’s daughter’s home Saturday, about 6 miles from Nancy Guthrie’s home. On Sunday, an investigator was seen using a pole to search an underground reservoir behind Nancy Guthrie’s home.
Several press servers have received alleged ransom letters over the past week. At least one letter contained monetary demands and set deadlines for receiving the money. The first deadline passed last Thursday, but the second was set for Monday.
Law enforcement officials declined to confirm the letters were credible, but said all tips were seriously investigated.
Authorities say they are increasingly concerned about Nancy Guthrie’s health because she needs daily medication. According to the sheriff’s audio dispatcher on broadcastify.com, she is said to have a pacemaker and has been dealing with high blood pressure and heart problems.
