Arizona authorities say they believe Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of US television anchor Savannah Guthrie, is still alive, five days after she went missing, though no suspect has yet been identified.
Speaking to reporters, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said investigators are operating on the assumption that Nancy Guthrie “is still out there” and stressed that the search will continue with that belief in mind until she is found. “We’re going to continue thinking that way until we find her,” he said.
The FBI confirmed it is analysing two ransom notes linked to the case and disclosed that an arrest has already been made in connection with a fake ransom demand. On Thursday night, the Guthrie family released their second video appeal of the week, urging whoever may be holding their mother to make contact.
“Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you,” said her son, Camron Guthrie, in the video. He added that the family needs a way to communicate and, above all, proof that she is alive. Law enforcement officials note that requesting proof of life is standard practice in kidnapping and hostage cases.
Earlier on Thursday, FBI Special Agent Heith Janke said the agency was reviewing a ransom note sent to several media outlets. The message reportedly included payment deadlines and referenced specific details about Nancy Guthrie’s home, including an Apple Watch and a floodlight. According to the FBI, the family understands that time is critical.
Investigators also outlined a detailed timeline of events surrounding her disappearance. On Saturday evening, Nancy Guthrie took an Uber to the nearby Tucson home of her daughter Annie for dinner, where she spent the night with family members. She was later dropped back at her residence in the upscale Catalina Foothills neighbourhood.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, a doorbell camera at her home was disconnected, though no footage could be recovered due to the absence of a subscription. Later, motion was detected near the property, but officials said this could have been caused by an animal. Shortly after, the app connected to her implanted pacemaker disconnected from her phone.
Blood found on the front porch has been confirmed as hers, and further forensic analysis is ongoing. Family members raised the alarm when she failed to attend church on Sunday morning, which was out of character for her.
The FBI has announced a reward of $50,000 for information leading to an arrest. Sheriff Nanos said that while ransom demands are being taken seriously, investigators are not ruling out other motives. He acknowledged concerns about the outcome but emphasised that efforts remain focused on finding her alive.
In a previous video message, Savannah Guthrie appealed directly to whoever may be holding her mother, stressing her fragile health and urgent need for medication. The case has drawn national attention, prompting US President Donald Trump to say he had instructed federal agencies to assist fully in the investigation.
As part of the inquiry, a California man, Derrick Callella, has been arrested on suspicion of making a false ransom demand after allegedly contacting the family with messages referencing cryptocurrency payments.
Savannah Guthrie, a prominent NBC journalist and co-anchor of the Today show since 2012, has stepped back from her scheduled role covering the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan as the search for her mother continues.
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