In a new development, “Today” show anchor Savannah Guthrie has shared an additional video on Monday, responding to a ransom demand of $6 million in Bitcoin for her missing 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie.
“We are at an hour of desperation, and we need your help,” Savannah Guthrie posted on an Instagram video.
“We firmly believe that our mom is still out there. We need your assistance. Law enforcement is working tirelessly, around the clock, to bring her back home,” Savannah appealed to the public.
According to earlier reports by CrimeOnline, on Friday, KOLD disclosed that they had received a ransom note demanding the Bitcoin payment by 5 p.m. MST Monday. The note allegedly “threatened to kill Nancy Guthrie” if the $6 million was not paid. More details can be found in the full report here.
Initially, the ransom demands sent to KOLD and KGUN asked for $4 million in Bitcoin with a deadline of February 5. The notes warned that the demand would rise to $6 million by February 9 if the initial payment was not completed. More information on the ransom escalation is available here.
The FBI commented on February 6, stating, “Investigators are actively examining the details in the message to verify its authenticity.”
As reported by TMZ on Monday morning, no payments have yet been made to the Bitcoin account associated with this case.
TMZ reports that as of Monday morning, no funds have been sent to the Bitcoin account set up in connection with the case.
The ransom notes reportedly did not provide any proof of life or a way for loved ones to communicate with Nancy Guthrie, who needs daily medication to survive.
Previous Video Coverage
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her Catalina Hills home in Arizona, shortly before 10 p.m. on January 31. Her family reported her missing at around noon on February 1, after she missed church.
Investigators later found blood on her front porch, confirmed to be Nancy’s. Officials said that around 1:47 a.m. on February 1, Nancy’s doorbell camera had been disconnected. At 2 a.m., Nancy’s pacemaker pinged her phone.
At around 2:12 a.m., security camera software detected movement, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said, although he could not confirm where the movement came from.
On Thursday, the FBI announced a $50,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of anyone associated with Nancy Guthrie’s abduction.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). Tipsters can also contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department tip line at 520-351-4900.
[Feature Photo: Savannah and Nancy Guthrie/Instagram]
