Search for Savannah Guthrie's Mother Enters Fifth Day as Ransom Notes Emerge
The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie, has entered its fifth day with authorities intensifying their search despite having no proof she remains alive. Investigators continue to hold hope that she is "still out there" while treating multiple ransom notes as credible evidence in the case.
Evidence Points to Abduction
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed that authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was taken from her Tucson home against her will over the weekend. Investigators discovered blood on Guthrie's porch, which was later confirmed to belong to the missing woman. No suspects or persons of interest have been identified in the case at this time.
"Right now, we believe Nancy is still out there. We want her home," Nanos stated during a news conference, while acknowledging that authorities had no concrete proof of her current condition.
Ransom Notes and FBI Involvement
The case took a dramatic turn as ransom notes sent to multiple media outlets were deemed credible by investigators. Heith Janke, the FBI chief in Phoenix, revealed that the notes demanded money with an initial deadline set for Thursday evening and a second deadline for Monday if the first was not met.
The messages contained specific details about a floodlight at Guthrie's home and an Apple Watch. TMZ reported that one note sent to their newsroom demanded millions of dollars in bitcoin and described damage to Guthrie's home believed to have occurred during her abduction. Authorities noted it remained unclear whether this description was accurate.
"To anyone who may be involved, do the right thing. This is an 84-year-old grandma," Janke appealed during a public statement. Authorities clarified that any decision regarding ransom demands would ultimately rest with the Guthrie family.
Timeline of Disappearance
According to Sheriff Nanos, Nancy Guthrie spent Saturday evening eating dinner and playing games with family members before being dropped off at her home in Tucson's affluent Catalina Foothills neighborhood. Approximately four hours later, just before 2 am Sunday, the home's doorbell camera was disconnected.
Because Guthrie did not maintain an active subscription with the camera company, no video footage could be recovered. Minutes after the camera disconnection, software data recorded movement at the home, though Nanos suggested this activity could have come from an animal.
At 2:28 am, the app connected to Guthrie's pacemaker was disconnected from her phone. She was reported missing shortly before noon on Sunday after failing to appear at church, where she regularly attended services.
While Guthrie remained mentally sharp and capable of driving, the sheriff noted she had difficulty walking even short distances and required daily medication vital to her health. During the initial search, a sheriff's dispatcher confirmed Guthrie had high blood pressure and heart issues.
Family's Emotional Plea
At least three media organizations reported receiving ransom notes and turned them over to investigators. Authorities confirmed one arrest was made after determining a ransom note was fake.
In a video released by the Guthrie family Wednesday night, Savannah Guthrie struggled to maintain composure as she sat between her older siblings, Annie and Camron. She acknowledged the family's awareness of the purported ransom letters and expressed their desire to communicate directly with whoever had taken their mother.
"We are ready to talk," Savannah Guthrie stated in the emotional recording. "However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know, without a doubt, that she is alive, and that you have her."
In a separate social media video posted Thursday, Nancy Guthrie's son Camron revealed the family still had not received direct communication from those responsible for his mother's disappearance.
"Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you," he implored. "We need you to reach out and we need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward. But first, we have to know that you have our mom."
Presidential Support and Community Profile
President Donald Trump spoke with Savannah Guthrie by phone Wednesday and later announced on social media that he had directed all federal law enforcement agencies to assist local authorities in the search.
"I spoke with Savannah Guthrie, and let her know that I am directing ALL Federal Law Enforcement to be at the family's, and Local Law Enforcement's, complete disposal, IMMEDIATELY," Trump posted on Truth Social. "We are deploying all resources to get her mother home safely. The prayers of our Nation are with her and her family."
Nancy Guthrie is described as a retired communications professional and longtime community volunteer who was frequently seen around her Tucson neighborhood. She resides in a quiet, wealthy area of the Catalina Foothills north of Tucson, where homes are spread across large lots without gated community restrictions.
