Law enforcement continues to scramble for leads in the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC’s “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie.
Authorities said Wednesday that no suspect or person of interest has yet been identified in the Arizona case, which is being treated as a criminal matter.
At the same time, fresh details are surfacing about the alleged ransom note.
Law enforcement continues to scramble for leads in the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC’s “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie.
“We do believe that Nancy was taken from her home against her will, and that’s where we’re at,” Nanos said Tuesday afternoon.
When asked whether more than one person might have been involved, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos replied, “No clue.”
savannahguthrie/Instagram
At the same time, new information is emerging about a purported ransom note. TMZ and a Tucson TV station reported receiving notes demanding millions in Bitcoin for Nancy’s return, which they forwarded to the sheriff’s office.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed investigators are taking the note seriously, though its authenticity has not been verified.
“When the note comes to us, it’s like any piece of evidence. You give it to us. You give us a lead. We’re going to look at every aspect of that lead and work it as a lead,” Nanos told CBS News.
Asked if the note was being dismissed, he replied: “Absolutely not.”
The note reportedly included chilling details about Nancy’s Tucson home and what she was wearing the night she vanished.
Nanos would not confirm whether these details matched the crime scene, where investigators found blood drops and signs of forced entry.
Investigators have reviewed the note and shared it with Savannah Guthrie. “The entire note,” Nanos said, when asked what aspects were considered credible. DNA samples from Guthrie’s home have also been submitted for testing.
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“We’ve gotten some (results) back, but nothing to indicate any suspects,” he said.
Speaking directly to the alleged kidnapper(s), Nanos issued a stark warning:
“The clock is literally ticking. You’ve placed her in great jeopardy without giving her meds that are critical to her. Again, like I’ve said, could be fatal if she doesn’t get those meds.”
Savannah Guthrie, who has been with NBC News for nearly two decades, has canceled her trip to Italy to cover the Winter Olympics in order to focus on the search for her mother.
As the search for Nancy Guthrie continues, executives at Today have reportedly ramped up security at the show’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza studio.
The precautionary move comes amid heightened concern, multiple sources told the U.S. Sun on Tuesday, February 3. “Things are tense at the studio, and that as a result, NBC has stepped up security for on-air talent,” one source said. “NBC has partnered with the NYPD to make sure their staff remains safe, out of an abundance of caution.”
