SUMMARY
- Nancy Guthrie, mother of “Today” host Savannah Guthrie, remains missing nearly a week after her abduction in Tucson, Arizona.
- Authorities are reviewing a new message received by local media while expanding the investigation across state lines.
- The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to her recovery or the arrest and conviction of those involved.
TUCSON, Ariz., — Authorities are investigating a new message in the ongoing kidnapping case of Nancy Guthrie, the 84 year old mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, who was abducted from her Tucson home nearly a week ago.
The new communication, received Friday by local station KOLD, comes a day after Nancy Guthrie’s son, Camron, reiterated the family’s plea for her safe return. The message has been forwarded to law enforcement but its contents remain undisclosed.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI confirmed receipt of the new communication but provided no further details. Officials have not clarified whether it is linked to a purported ransom note previously sent to news outlets.
The search for Nancy Guthrie, an 84 year old Tucson resident, has entered its sixth day, with law enforcement broadening efforts beyond her neighborhood.
Investigators are focusing on forensic evidence, digital footprints, and interviews with relatives and others in her circle. The case has drawn national attention due to the victim’s relationship to Savannah Guthrie, a prominent television journalist.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen Saturday evening when she visited her daughter Annie Cioni and son-in-law Tommaso Cioni. After returning home, her doorbell camera disconnected at 1:47 AM on Sunday.
Shortly after, her pacemaker app indicated she was no longer near her phone inside the house. Authorities were notified when she failed to attend her regular Sunday church service.
Earlier in the week, several news organizations reported receiving a ransom note demanding payment, which the FBI is still analyzing. A separate, fraudulent ransom demand led to the arrest of a California man attempting to profit from her disappearance.
President Donald Trump expressed cautious optimism on Friday, stating that authorities “have some clues I think that are very strong” but confirming the family had not been contacted directly by any kidnappers.
Kidnappings of elderly individuals remain rare but carry significant investigative challenges. Dr. Laura Simmons, a criminologist at Arizona State University, noted, “Cases involving senior citizens often hinge on digital evidence and family networks, as physical clues may be limited.”
Chris Nanos, Pima County Sheriff, emphasized that all potential leads are being pursued. “Everybody’s still a suspect in our eyes,” Nanos said. The FBI’s $50,000 reward underscores the national priority and public stakes of the investigation.
Savannah Guthrie addressed the public in a video Wednesday: “Everyone is looking for you, Mommy, everywhere. We will not rest.”
Hoda Kotb, former co-anchor of the “Today” show, said on Friday, “This whole thing is breaking my heart, and I’m happy to be sitting here with you. Everybody’s hoping and praying for Nancy’s safe return.”
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos provided a detailed timeline, noting critical evidence gaps caused by the disconnected camera and rewritable video storage, complicating immediate investigative steps.
Law enforcement officials have expanded the search to adjacent states, while continuing forensic analysis of the home and reviewing digital communications.
The FBI has asked the public to report any relevant information and is actively vetting all ransom related communications.
Investigators face a complex mix of technological, geographic, and human factors, making progress cautious but methodical.
Nancy Guthrie’s abduction highlights the intersection of digital technology, family vulnerability, and law enforcement coordination in high profile kidnapping cases.
Authorities are combining traditional investigative methods with forensic and digital scrutiny to locate her, while the family and the public await credible leads in a nationwide search.
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