Savannah Guthrie’s mom, Nancy Guthrie, is still missing (Image: WireImage)
The search for Savannah Guthrie’s mom is continuing after she was kidnapped from her home in Arizona over the weekend.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, hasn’t been seen since Saturday night, when she was dropped off by her relatives at her property in the Tucson area, where she lives alone.
She was reported missing just after midday on Sunday, as a person who attends the same church as her called a relative to say Nancy hadn’t attended Mass.
Officials have confirmed they are investigating a ransom note sent to a number of media outlets – including TMZ – which was then handed over to investigators.
Authorities have made an arrest after another ransom note turned out to be fake, but Phoenix FBI chief Heith Janke said they are taking the letter sent to media organizations seriously.
Nancy was reported missing on February 1 (Image: AP)
He added the ransom note had a first deadline of 5pm today – but the time zone was not specified – followed by a second deadline after that.
However, Janke said it is unusual that the kidnappers didn’t make contact as the deadline approached, despite the family’s plea to do so.
“I think we start to look at what the deadlines were in the note,” he said. “First, I think [it] was 5 p.m. today, and then it had a second deadline after that.
“So we are continuing in a normal kidnapping case, there would be contact by now trying to discuss that. But those are the time frames we’re looking at as we move forward.”
Janke added, “If a transfer wasn’t made, then I think a second demand was for next Monday.” However, he didn’t share further details about the note, saying, “We’re not going to go beyond that.”
Meanwhile, the FBI chief said a person was arrested following a fake ransom demand, as he told journalists during a press conference this morning, “We have made one arrest related to an imposter ransom demand, and a complaint will be presented to a magistrate judge later today.
“You will get more on that from the FBI and our US Attorney’s office here in Arizona when it becomes available.”
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said no suspect has been identified in the woman’s disappearance (Image: AP)
The FBI today announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to “the recovery of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.”
During the press conference, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said investigators are holding out hope that Nancy is “still out here” even though there are currently no suspects in her disappearance.
The latest updates came just one day after Today Show host Savannah, 54, sent a public message to her mother’s kidnapper, saying that her family is ready to talk but wants proof that she is alive.
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have shared an emotional message, saying they are ‘ready to talk’ (Image: Savannah Guthrie/Instagram)
The broadcaster said in a recorded video posted on social media that her family has heard media reports about a ransom letter and they are “ready to talk.”
But she said, “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.
“We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us.”
Savannah was at times emotional during the recording, with her voice cracking. When addressing her mother directly, she smiled and looked into the camera, saying that the family was praying for her and that people were looking for her.
“Mommy, if you are hearing this, you are a strong woman. You are God’s precious daughter,” she said as her sister Annie and her brother Camron, who also spoke, sat by her side.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.the-express.com ’
