BY MIRABEL ODETA
Popular U.S. morning television anchor Savannah Guthrie has issued an emotional public appeal to anyone who may be holding her elderly mother, who authorities believe was abducted from her Arizona home earlier this week, urging them to make contact and provide proof that she is alive.
In a video message posted to Instagram on Wednesday, the NBC *Today* show co-host directly addressed those responsible for her mother’s disappearance, asking them to open a line of communication with the family. Standing alongside her brother and sister, Guthrie stressed that the family’s immediate priority is reassurance about her mother’s safety.
“We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her,” Guthrie said. “We want to hear from you, and we are ready to listen. Please, reach out to us.”
The appeal came three days after Guthrie’s mother, 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, was reported missing from her home on the outskirts of Tucson. Investigators have said the circumstances point to an abduction rather than a voluntary disappearance, a conclusion that has heightened concern given the woman’s age and medical condition.
On the same day the video was released, police activity intensified at Nancy Guthrie’s residence. Yellow crime-scene tape was placed around the property for the first time since the disappearance, and investigators were seen entering and leaving the home over a two-hour period, signaling a possible shift in the investigation.
Savannah Guthrie, 54, acknowledged that the family had seen media reports suggesting the existence of a ransom note. However, she cautioned against drawing conclusions, noting that electronic images and documents can be manipulated or fabricated, and said the family was relying on law enforcement to verify any such claims.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on January 31, when relatives dropped her off at her home after a family dinner. When she could not be reached the following day, she was reported missing. According to Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, investigators believe she could not have left the home on her own, as she had limited mobility and required assistance.
Authorities have also expressed serious concern about her health. Nancy Guthrie relies on daily medication, and the family fears the consequences of her being without it. In the four-minute video, Savannah Guthrie spoke candidly about her mother’s fragile condition.
“Her health, her heart is fragile. She lives in constant pain,” she said. “She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive. She needs it not to suffer.”
The television journalist, who has co-anchored *Today* since 2012, opened her message by thanking supporters for the overwhelming outpouring of prayers and messages of support. She spoke warmly about her mother’s character, describing her as deeply kind, spirited, and devoted to her family.
“Our mom is a kind, faithful, loyal, fiercely loving woman of goodness and light,” she said. “She’s funny, spunky, and clever. She has grandchildren who adore her and crowd around her with kisses. She loves fun and adventure, is a devoted friend, and is full of kindness and knowledge. Talk to her and you’ll see.”
Earlier Wednesday, Sheriff Nanos said investigators had not yet identified any suspect or person of interest in the case. He confirmed that law enforcement is aware of reports that some media outlets may have received messages resembling ransom notes, but said it was unclear whether those communications were credible. A press conference has been scheduled for Thursday to provide further updates.
The case has also drawn national attention. U.S. President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social that he had spoken directly with Savannah Guthrie and assured her that federal law enforcement agencies would fully support local authorities and the family.
“We are deploying all resources to get her mother home safely,” Trump wrote, adding a message of support and concern for Nancy Guthrie’s well-being.
As the investigation continues, Guthrie’s family says their focus remains on one goal: confirming that Nancy Guthrie is alive and bringing her home safely.
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