NBC host Savannah Guthrie issues public plea after suspected abduction of mother
The NBC host released an emotional video message as investigators treat her mother’s disappearance as a possible abduction.
Savannah Guthrie has issued a direct public appeal following the suspected abduction of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, saying her family is prepared to engage with anyone responsible.
The NBC News co-anchor posted a video to Instagram alongside her brother and sister, thanking her supporters while addressing the ongoing investigation into her mother’s disappearance.
“On behalf of our family, we want to thank all of you for the prayers for our beloved mom, Nancy,” the television personality began.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“We feel them, and we continue to believe that she feels them too.”
Authorities have said Nancy Guthrie, 84, is believed to have been taken against her will, with investigators treating her Tucson home as a potential crime scene.
Officials have described the case as a possible kidnapping or abduction.
In the video, Guthrie spoke directly to those suspected of being involved, outlining her mother’s fragile health and urgent medical needs.
“She’s 84 years old. Her health, her heart, is fragile. She lives in constant pain. She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive, and she needs it not to suffer,” Guthrie said.
“We, too, have heard the reports about a ransom letter in the media. As a family, we are doing everything that we can. We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen.”
It has been revealed that investigators believe Nancy was taken from her home against her will.
“Taken against her will includes possible kidnapping or abduction,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said.
In a startling development, hosts of TMZ Live, Harvey Levin and Charles Latibeaudiere, revealed on Tuesday (local time) that they received a threatening ransom note for Ms Guthrie.
“So we got something in our email that...is written like a ransom note for Savannah Guthrie’s mother,” Levin said.
Latibeaudiere added that there were “specific requests for certain amounts of money and bitcoin”.
“It was very specific and also...there were certain things they’re saying about what she was wearing and damage to the house...we don’t know if it’s authentic or not, but when you read it, they are acting as if ‘yeah, only we would know these things and we’re serious’,” Levin continued.
“There’s a dollar demand and an ‘or else’ in there.”
The pair forwarded the note to the Sheriff’s Department, who later said they were aware of “reports circulating about possible ransom note(s)“ and were “taking all tips and leads very seriously”.
It comes after Mr Nanos declared Ms Guthrie’s home a “crime scene”.
“We have an 84-year-old woman who went to bed Saturday night and come Sunday morning, she’s gone,” he said.
“We know, at least we believe, and I believe we know, she did not walk out of that home on her own.”
Officials said they remain hopeful that Nancy is still alive.
“We have nothing else to go on but the belief that she is here,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said in an interview with NBC’s Liz Kreutz that aired on the Today show on February 4. “She’s present. She’s alive, and we want to save her.”
Authorities have confirmed there are no suspects as the search continues.
More to come...
