The search for Savannah Guthrie‘s missing mother has taken a grim turn.
Authorities confirmed Friday that blood found at the home of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie belongs to her. The ‘Today’ host’s mother was reported missing nearly five days ago from her Tucson, Arizona home, and investigators are treating the case as an abduction.
At a press conference, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said his team is working “around the clock” alongside the FBI, but acknowledged his fears about finding her alive. “We are going to continue thinking that way until we find her,” he said, adding that Nancy requires daily medication that could prove fatal if she’s not receiving it.
The timeline is chilling. Nancy was last seen Saturday night after dinner with family, dropped off at her home at 9:48 PM. Her garage door closed at 9:50 PM. By 1:47 AM Sunday, her doorbell camera disconnected. At 2:28 AM, her pacemaker lost connection to her phone. When church members noticed her absence Sunday morning, family checked on her at 11:56 AM and called emergency services seven minutes later.
The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy’s recovery. Three ransom notes have been identified, one of which was determined to be fake, leading to an arrest Friday morning. FBI special agent Heith Janke confirmed the correspondence referenced Bitcoin but declined to elaborate further. One ransom note included a Thursday 5 PM deadline, with a second set for Monday.
In a deeply emotional video released overnight, Savannah and her siblings issued a direct appeal to whoever took their mother. The NBC anchor made clear the family is prepared to engage, but needs proof first:
“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 is alive and that you have her.”
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Describing her mother as a “fiercely loving woman of goodness and light,” Savannah emphasized Nancy’s fragile health. “She lives in constant pain. She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive. She needs it not to suffer.”
Her sister Annie added through tears, “The light is missing from our lives,” while their brother Camron simply said, “We love you, Mom. Stay strong.”
Janke confirmed there’s been no contact with the family beyond the ransom notes sent to media outlets. Authorities have spoken to various people connected to Nancy’s movements, including an Uber driver and gardener, and haven’t ruled anyone out, including family members, though all have been cooperating. Despite Arizona’s proximity to Mexico, there’s no indication she’s being held outside the U.S.
Speaking directly to those involved, Janke pleaded:
“This is an 84-year-old grandma that needs vital medication for her well-being. You still have time to do the right thing before this becomes a much worse scenario for you. Please return Nancy home.”