The Guthrie family has expressed their willingness to meet the ransom demands for their missing loved one, Nancy Guthrie, despite the FBI not yet verifying the authenticity of the ransom note.
WASHINGTON — Over a week since Nancy Guthrie vanished in what authorities suspect is a kidnapping, her family continues to make desperate pleas for her safe return. They have publicly stated their readiness to comply with the kidnappers’ demands before what they believe is a critical deadline.
A note, allegedly from the kidnappers, has set a deadline of 5 p.m. on Monday, requiring the family to pay an unspecified ransom amount for Nancy’s release.
While the FBI has not confirmed the legitimacy of the ransom note, the Guthrie family, including Savannah Guthrie, co-host of the “TODAY” show, has declared their intention to pay. The specifics of the ransom demand remain undisclosed.
In a heartfelt video released on Sunday, the three Guthrie siblings, visibly united, addressed the individual or group supposedly responsible for sending ransom communications to various media outlets.
“We have received your message and we understand. We implore you to return our mother so we can be reunited and celebrate together. This is the only way we will find peace,” Savannah Guthrie stated in the video. “Her return means everything to us, and we are prepared to pay.”
Sunday’s was the third video the family made trying to get in contact with whoever may have their mother.
Nancy Guthrie, mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing when she failed to show up for a church event Sunday, Feb 1. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said evidence at the 84-year-old’s Tucson home suggests that she was taken from the residence “against her will.”
Her blood was found on her porch, and security cameras were disabled, leaving no video evidence of what happened.
What do we know about the ransom?
Investigators said Friday afternoon they’re aware of a “new message” regarding Nancy Guthrie, but have not given any additional details.
They are taking seriously notes seeking ransom that were sent to some media outlets.
It’s unclear if all of the notes were identical. Heith Janke, the FBI chief in Phoenix, said details included a demand for money with a Thursday evening deadline and a second deadline for Monday if the first one wasn’t met. At least one note mentioned a floodlight at Guthrie’s home and an Apple watch, Janke said.
“To anyone who may be involved, do the right thing. This is an 84-year-old grandma,” Janke said.
At least three media organizations reported receiving purported ransom notes, which they handed over to investigators. Authorities made an arrest after one ransom note turned out to be fake, the sheriff said.
A note e-mailed Monday to the KOLD-TV newsroom in Tucson included information that only the abductor would know, anchor Mary Coleman told CNN.
“When we saw some of those details, it was clear after a couple of sentences that this might not be a hoax,” she said.
The sheriff said it’s possible Nancy Guthrie was targeted, but if she was, investigators don’t know if that’s because her daughter is one of television’s most visible anchors.
FBI says they’re still searching, but no suspects identified
FBI officials have repeatedly told reporters that they do not have any prime suspects in the case, and suspect “everybody.”
Authorities say any decision on whether to fulfill ransom demands ultimately is up to the family.
“It’s heartbreaking, and I pray she’s okay,” said Rosie Kedney, a woman leaving a memento outside Guthrie’s home on Sunday.
Officials have been tight-lipped about many aspects of the case, which has received a massive amount of publicity because of Savannah Guthrie’s fame.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said the slow release of information was in part to avoid copycat ransom notes from being sent.
Federal officials have already made one arrest in California of a person who allegedly sent a ransom note that they deemed was not credible. At a press conference last week, FBI officials said that person was an imposter who was simply trying to make money from the situation.
