Authorities searching for Savannah Guthrie’s mother: What we know
Authorities are investigating Savannah Guthrie’s mother’s abduction: What we know
The search for Today co-host Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother has stretched into its fourth day, as investigators hunt for clues that explain the elderly woman’s sudden disappearance.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing from her Arizona home on Sunday, sparking national scrutiny and an FBI investigation. No suspect or person of interest has yet been identified in connection with the case, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said Wednesday. President Donald Trump weighed in on the apparent abduction on Tuesday, saying he planned to give Savannah a call about the “terrible” situation.
“We have nothing else to go on but the belief that she is here, she’s present, she’s alive, and we want to save her,” Sheriff Chris Nanos said in an interview with NBC News on Wednesday.
What happened?
Nancy Guthrie was last seen Saturday evening at her home, after having dinner with family members. The following day, she was reported missing after a friend from church called her family to report she didn’t attend services, prompting a house search and alert to law enforcement.
The 84-year-old was likely kidnapped, according to authorities, who are investigating purported ransom notes sent to at least three media outlets. As of early Wednesday afternoon, the notes sent to TMZ, KOLD, and KGUN have not been publicly verified, but officials say they are “absolutely not” dismissing them.
“When the note comes to us, it’s like any piece of evidence,” Nanos told CBS News. “You give it to us. You give us a lead. We’re going to look at every aspect of that lead and work it as a lead.”
What are authorities investigating?
KGUN announced Tuesday it received what appeared to be a ransom note making a specific demand for several million dollars in bitcoin by Thursday and threatening to kill Nancy Guthrie if payment is not received by Monday. TMZ said on Tuesday it had also received what appeared to be a ransom note making similar demands. The outlet said it had verified the bitcoin address “is real.” KOLD said it likewise received a possible ransom note on Monday evening and turned it over to authorities.
Other aspects of the investigation include blood that was found inside the elderly woman’s home, according to the Los Angeles Times and other outlets.
While she is in her 80s, authorities say Nancy Guthrie was mentally agile, discrediting the idea that she may have wandered off in a dementia-related incident. Physical limitations also made it highly unlikely she voluntarily left her Tucson home, according to Nanos. The missing woman could die without access to the medication she takes daily, the sheriff said, warning Tuesday that “the clock is literally ticking.”
Reaction from Savannah and the White House
Savannah has canceled plans to host NBC’s coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony from Italy on Friday. The news anchor pleaded for viewers to pray for her mother’s rescue in a message on Tuesday.
“We believe in prayer,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “we believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope. we believe in goodness. we believe in humanity. above all, we believe in Him.”
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President Donald Trump spoke with Savannah Guthrie on Wednesday, according to a White House official. On Tuesday he expressed his sadness at the news of her mother’s disappearance.
“I always got along very good with Savannah,” the president said Tuesday. “Very unusual situation.”
Naomi Lim contributed to this report.
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