Early Thursday, there was no sign of anyone responding to Today anchor Savannah Guthrie’s message to the person who allegedly kidnapped her 84-year-old mother. She said the family learned about the ransom through media reports, the AP reported.
In a video shared on social media Wednesday, Guthrie said her family is willing to communicate but is looking for proof that her mother, Nancy Guthrie, who authorities say was taken from her Arizona home against her will, is still alive.
“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. Please reach out to us,” said Savannah Guthrie.
The sheriff’s department said Nancy Guthrie was last seen Saturday around 9:45 p.m. when family members dropped her off at her home after dinner. She was reported missing on Sunday afternoon after she did not attend the church service.
The family shared their message after police spent several hours searching her home and surrounding area on Wednesday. Kevin Adger, a spokesman for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, said investigators had already searched the residence several days earlier this week before returning it to the family, noting that officers could re-enter the home if necessary.
“It was a follow-up investigation,” he said, indicating that officials would return on Wednesday.
Adger added that the sheriff’s department has not commented on the video posted by the family.
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Several media outlets reported that on Tuesday they obtained what was described as a ransom, which she turned over to investigators. The sheriff’s department said it is taking the notes and other tips seriously, but declined to provide further details.
What is Guthrie’s message to Nancy?
Savannah Guthrie seemed visibly moved at times during the recording, and her voice cracked as she spoke. Addressing her mother directly, she smiled and looked into the camera, saying her family was praying for her and that many people were looking for her.
“Mom, if you can hear this, you are a strong woman. You are God’s precious daughter,” she said.
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Guthrie described her mother as “a kind, faithful, loyal, fiercely loving woman of goodness and light”, adding that she was funny, brave and smart.
“Talk to her and see,” she said.
Guthrie was joined by her sister Annie and her brother Camron, both of whom also spoke. Annie called their mother their beacon and said the family needed her. “Mom, if you’re listening, we need you to come home. We miss you,” Annie Guthrie said.
Meanwhile, for the fourth day in a row Thursday, Today began its broadcast with coverage of Guthrie’s mother’s disappearance and aired the family’s full video message, even though Savannah Guthrie herself was absent from the anchor desk. NBC Sports announced Tuesday that it will not be part of its televised coverage of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, saying it will focus on spending time with its family during what it calls a difficult period.
Guthrie grew up in Tucson, graduated from the University of Arizona, and previously worked as a reporter and anchor at local station KVOA. Her parents moved to Tucson in the 1970s when she was young. Guthrie, the youngest of three children, said her mother played a central role in keeping the family together after her father died of a heart attack at age 49 when Savannah was 16.
(With input from agencies)
