Authorities Intensify Search for Nancy Guthrie Amid Ransom Note Claims
TUCSON, Ariz. — The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s Savannah Guthrie, has prompted a wide-reaching investigation involving local and federal authorities, as they work to identify a potential suspect and unravel the circumstances surrounding her vanishing. Guthrie was last seen at her home in Catalina Foothills, an affluent community north of Tucson, after attending a family dinner and game night on Saturday evening. She was dropped off at her residence around 9:48 p.m., but by midday Sunday, family members reported her missing when she failed to attend church and could not be located.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has stated that investigators believe Nancy Guthrie was taken against her will, possibly in the middle of the night, and the case is being treated as a potential kidnapping or abduction. Authorities have ruled out the possibility that she wandered off, noting that Guthrie is of sound mind but has limited mobility, which would make it unlikely for her to leave unassisted. The sheriff’s department provided a physical description of Guthrie, noting she is 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighs approximately 150 pounds, and has brown hair and blue eyes.
Investigators have uncovered troubling evidence at the scene. Blood found on the porch of Guthrie’s home was confirmed through DNA testing to be hers, and a doorbell camera was removed from the property shortly after midnight on Sunday. Sheriff Nanos revealed that the camera was disconnected at 1:47 a.m., and software detected movement around 2:12 a.m., though authorities have not yet reviewed the footage. Additionally, Guthrie’s pacemaker app was disconnected from her phone around 2:28 a.m., raising further concerns about the timeline of events.
Despite these developments, authorities have withheld certain details, including whether there was forced entry into the home. “I have no clue where that comes from,” Nanos said when questioned about reports of forced entry, emphasizing that such information is not being discussed publicly at this time.
The investigation has taken a new turn with the emergence of alleged ransom notes sent to local media outlet KOLD 13 and the entertainment news site TMZ. These notes reportedly contain specific information only the abductor would know, including references to an Apple watch and a floodlight on Guthrie’s property. The notes set deadlines for ransom payments, with the first deadline at 5 p.m. on Thursday and a secondary deadline the following Monday. The ransom demands reportedly include a substantial amount of bitcoin, according to TMZ.
FBI Special Agent Heith Janke, leading the federal investigation, confirmed that the bureau is taking the ransom notes seriously and is actively pursuing all leads. The FBI has also announced a $50,000 reward for information that leads to Nancy Guthrie’s safe recovery or the arrest and conviction of those responsible. The involvement of the FBI underscores the gravity of the case and the coordinated effort between federal and local law enforcement agencies.
Family members have made public appeals for Guthrie’s safe return, emphasizing the urgency of her medical needs. In heartfelt videos posted on social media, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings implored anyone holding their mother to make contact. “We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her,” Savannah said. “We want to hear from you, and we are ready to listen.” Her brother Camron Guthrie echoed these sentiments, urging the abductor to establish communication so that the family can move forward.
The ongoing investigation highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in cases involving elderly individuals with medical vulnerabilities. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI continue to work diligently, reviewing evidence and following up on every tip. The public is encouraged to report any information related to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance to the authorities.
For more information on missing persons and how to assist law enforcement, visit the FBI’s Missing Persons page and the U.S. Marshals Service Missing Persons page. Updates on the investigation can be found through the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and local news outlets such as Arizona PBS.
As the search continues, the community remains hopeful for Nancy Guthrie’s safe return and for answers that will bring closure to her family and loved ones.
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