A week after Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC “Today” anchor Savannah Guthrie, was last seen, authorities continue to search for her.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen the night of Jan. 31 when her daughter Annie and son-in-law dropped her off at their home in Tucson. She failed to show up at church the next morning, prompting relatives to check on her around noon on February 1, only to find her missing.
Investigators say her video doorbell and pacemaker app went offline overnight, and while the doorbell detected motion around 2 a.m., no recorded footage was saved. Blood found on the steps of her home was later confirmed to be hers.
Health concerns
Authorities stressed that Nancy Guthrie is in poor health and without life-saving medication.
“We believe Nancy is still out there,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said on Feb. 5.
“She lives in constant pain. She has no medication. She needs it to survive. She needs it not to suffer,” Savannah Guthrie added in a family video.
Savannah Challenges and Videos
Savannah’s daughter posted several videos appealing for her safe return.
In a February 4 video, Savannah said:
“As a family we are doing everything we can. We are ready to talk. But we live in a world where voices and images can be easily manipulated. 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. Reach out to us.”
In a Feb. 7 video, Savannah echoed the family’s plea:
“We have received your message and we understand you. We are asking you to return our mother to us now so we can celebrate with her. Only then will we have peace. This is very valuable to us and we will pay.”
Ransom notes and investigations
The FBI is investigating several ransom demands sent to media outlets, including KOLD and TMZ, that allegedly demanded millions in bitcoins. The notes included specific details about Nancy Guthrie’s Apple Watch and what she was wearing on the night of her disappearance, with February 5 and February 9 as the dates.
Law enforcement and reward
Authorities continue to search the area around her home, including towing the SUV from the lot on Feb. 6 and placing evidence markers.
The FBI offered up to $50,000 for information leading to the safe return of Nancy Guthrie or the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
No suspects have been publicly identified in connection with her disappearance. After police uncovered a “fraudulent” ransom demand, a Southern California man, Derrick Callella, was arrested on February 5th on federal charges related to passing a false ransom demand.
Calls for public assistance
Authorities continue to urge anyone with information to contact 911 or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.
The motive is still unknown
Sheriff Nanos said investigators have not determined why Nancy Guthrie might have been targeted:
“We’ll know more as we go along what the motive is, but right now my guess is as good as yours,” he told reporters on February 5.
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