In her first interview since her 84-year-old mother disappeared, NBC’s “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie suggested that her mother, Nancy Guthrie, may have been targeted because of her public profile.
In an interview with NBC, Guthrie described the emotional impact on her family. She said: “I don’t know if it’s because she’s my mum and somebody thought, ‘Oh, that girl – that lady’s got money. We can … make a quick buck.’ That would make sense,” adding, “But we don’t know. Which is too much for me to think I brought it to her bedside. That it’s because of me.”
Her comments come nearly two months after Nancy Guthrie went missing from her home near Tucson, Arizona. The 84-year-old woman was last seen on January 31 at around 9.45pm after having dinner with her daughter Annie Guthrie. A missing persons complaint was filed the next day when she virtually failed to attend a service on February 1.
Savannah Guthrie’s mother kidnapped for ransom?
Guthrie went on to say that once the family realized they had no information on Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts, they feared something serious had happened. She noted that her role as a highly recognizable television personality may have been a factor in her mother’s disappearance.
She also recalled that her brother was the first to recognize the gravity of the situation, as he soon believed it might be a kidnapping for ransom.
Two ransoms are legitimate
Guthrie said several notes had been received in connection with the case, although most appeared to be fake and she had not personally reviewed them. She added that anyone who sends fake ransom messages should think about the damage caused to the grieving family. But she claimed the two notes the family responded to were believed to be genuine.
Savannah Guthrie on Family Member Involvement
Responding to speculation that a family member might be involved, Guthrie said such claims only add to the family’s distress. In the days following Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, unverified allegations circulated online suggesting that her son-in-law Tommaso Cioni may have been involved.
Guthrie denied the claims, saying that no one cared more for her mother than Annie and Tommaso. Authorities in Arizona have since cleared all members of the Guthrie family. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos also said the family should only be considered victims and have no connection to the disappearance.
Nancy Guthrie missing case
Nancy Guthrie, 84, has now been missing since February 1st and there have been no breakthroughs in the case. Investigators have continued their efforts, but so far little progress has been made. One of the few developments came when the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released an image captured by her doorbell camera. The footage showed a masked individual carrying a backpack and appearing to manipulate the camera.
As the investigation began to lose momentum, the Guthrie family increased the reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery to $1 million, in addition to the amount already announced by the FBI. Several theories have surfaced in recent weeks, from a botched burglary to multiple people possibly being involved. However, authorities have not confirmed any of these possibilities and are still working to establish a clear motive for her disappearance.
