By Gao Yun
After being missing for four days, law enforcement in Arizona, USA, believes that 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie may still be alive. She is the mother of Savannah Guthrie, the well-known NBC news anchor. Although no suspects have been confirmed, investigators said on Thursday, Feb. 5 that they are continuing to search for her intensively.
According to Reuters, police and FBI officials revealed that they have stepped up the search, deploying additional personnel and forensic experts. Meanwhile, the first of two ransom deadlines set in a purported ransom letter—Thursday evening—has passed.
Authorities stated that Guthrie was last seen on Jan. 31, after dinner, when she was returned home near Tucson by her family. Her family reported her missing around noon the next day.
Due to Guthrie’s advanced age and extremely limited mobility, it was deemed impossible for her to leave home without assistance, leading investigators to initially classify this as a kidnapping.
Blood at the scene confirmed as Guthrie’s DNA
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Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said at a Thursday press conference that blood found on the front porch steps of Guthrie’s home was confirmed by DNA testing to belong to her.
In an interview with CNN, Nanos said he immediately assigned homicide detectives to the case, noting that details at the scene were “alarming.”
Investigators have also created a timeline showing that early Sunday morning, before dawn, the doorbell camera at Guthrie’s home was disabled, and her pacemaker app was disconnected from the phone line. Police believe she was likely abducted during this window.
As of now, on the fifth day of the case, authorities have not received evidence of her survival and no suspects have been identified. But Nanos said, “We believe Nancy Guthrie is still alive. We hope she can come home safely.”
Ransom letter sets two deadlines
The FBI announced a $50,000 reward Thursday for information that could help locate Guthrie or lead to the arrest and conviction of those involved.
Special Agent Heith Janke of the FBI stated that earlier this week, a letter claiming to be a ransom note was sent to multiple media outlets. He added that, so far, no further contact has been received from anyone claiming to be holding Guthrie.
He also said the authenticity of the letter has not yet been fully verified. The letter set two ransom deadlines: the first on Thursday at 5 p.m., the second on the following Monday, without providing further details.
Note demands millions in cryptocurrency
According to entertainment site TMZ.com, which was the first to report receiving a copy of the note, the letter demands several million dollars in ransom, explicitly to be paid in cryptocurrency.
Janke said the note included some details that made it seem credible, such as mention of an Apple Watch and a floodlight at Guthrie’s home.
The New York Post reported that the note stated if the ransom demands were not met by next Monday, “more serious consequences will follow.”
However, the note did not provide a way to contact the sender, though it did give a real address to deliver the ransom.
Authorities have not stated whether they believe the note is genuine or a hoax. They are handling the note carefully but also acknowledge that Guthrie’s disappearance may be entirely unrelated to it.
Impersonator of ransom sender arrested
Janke revealed that investigators arrested an individual attempting to send a fake ransom note to the victim’s family, which is being handled as a separate case.
The FBI has devoted significant investigative resources, including specialists in digital forensics and mobile communications, tracking data from banks, telecoms, and social media.
Beyond the long disappearance and lack of contact, Guthrie’s health is a major concern. She relies daily on prescription medication, and it is unknown if she has her medicine with her.
“We don’t know if she has her medication,” Sheriff Nanos said. “That alone could be life-threatening.”
At the press conference, Janke also appealed to the kidnappers: “Before the situation worsens, you still have a chance to do the right thing.”
Guthrie’s daughter, NBC Today host Savannah Guthrie, also released a video online on Wednesday pleading with whoever is holding her mother.