“Today” show host Savannah Guthrie and her two siblings spoke directly to the public in an emotional video posted on Instagram Wednesday night.
It’s been four days since her mother, Nancy Guthrie, 84, went missing and the authorities still don’t have a prime suspect in the case.
Guthrie prayed for her mother Nancy’s safe return home after she went missing on Sunday and then addressed the circulating ransom note, asking for proof that her mother is safe.
“As a family, we are doing everything that we can. We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know without a doubt that she’s alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us,” Savannah Guthrie said.
FBI announces $50,000 reward for information
During a press conference on Thursday morning, FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke announced a $50,000 reward for information related to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. He urged the perpetrators involved to “do the right thing.”
“This is an 84-year-old grandma who needs vital medication for her well-being. You still have time to do the right thing before this becomes a worse, much worse scenario for you. Please return Nancy home.”
He confirmed that the Guthrie family consulted the FBI before issuing the video message.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos acknowledged the Guthrie family’s video message as well, saying, “they are just hurt, understandably so.”
“We believe Nancy is still out there. We want her home,” said Nanos.
In the video, Savannah Guthrie grew emotional as she spoke about her mother’s “frail” health. Nancy Guthrie “lives in constant pain. She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive. … She needs it not to suffer,” Savannah Guthrie said as she broke down in tears.
Her siblings — Annie Guthrie and Camron Guthrie — sat beside her.
“Mama, if you’re listening, we need you to come home. We miss you,” Annie Guthrie said.
On Feb. 3, Nanos, in a statement, said the authorities are aware of the ransom notes potentially connected to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.
They asked for anyone with information or tips to share it.
Following the release of Savannah Guthrie’s video, President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social that he offered his administration’s resources to help bring Guthrie home.
“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,” he said.
“We are deploying all resources to get her mother home safely. The prayers of our nation are with her and her family,” he added. “GOD BLESS AND PROTECT NANCY!”
What we know about the ransom letter
Janke, the FBI Phoenix special agent in charge, confirmed that the authorities are aware of the ransom notes sent to local and national news outlets and are following the leads that emerge from them.
“We are in communication with the family,” said Janke, “and while we advise and recommend from a law enforcement perspective, any action taken on any ransom is ultimately decided by the family.”
He warned individuals “trying to … profit from this situation” and revealed that the FBI has “made one arrest related to an impostor ransom demand.” This arrest wasn’t related to the note the media received.
The FBI agent confirmed that the note sent to the media made a demand with a 5 p.m. deadline for Thursday and a second deadline set for Monday.
KOLD News received a letter on Monday that was reviewed by the FBI and shared with the Guthrie family, per CBS News. Without confirming whether it was the letter sent to KOLD News, Nanos said the note “contained specific details about the home and what Nancy Guthrie was wearing that night.”
On Tuesday, TMZ received a note that demanded payment in exchange for Nancy Guthrie’s release.
That same day, Nanos said in a press conference that the authorities “believe that Nancy was taken from her home against her will.”
On Thursday, Nanos said the investigation has entered the “waiting” phase as they stand by for lab reports and analysis.
He noted that they recently got the DNA results related to blood found on the porch of Nancy Guthrie’s house. The blood traces back to Guthrie.
New details emerge in the timeline of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance
Last Saturday, at approximately 5:32 p.m., Guthrie visited her nearby family for dinner. A family member dropped her at home at 9:48 p.m., with the garage door closing at 9:50 p.m., according to Sheriff Nanos.
At 1:47 a.m. on Sunday morning, Nanos said the doorbell camera disconnected. “At 2:12 a.m., software detects a person on a camera, but there’s no video available,” the sheriff continued, noting that they are still analyzing the data.
Roughly 16 minutes later, Guthrie’s pacemaker app got disconnected from her phone.
Guthrie’s family discovered she was missing around noon on Sunday. That is when they called the police.