Urgent Plea for Return of Abducted Arizona Resident Nancy Guthrie

On Saturday, ‘Today’ show co-host Savannah Guthrie, alongside her siblings, released a video appealing for the safe return of their mother, Nancy Guthrie, who was reportedly taken from her home in Tucson, Arizona, the previous weekend. In this heartfelt message, Savannah Guthrie expressed the family’s willingness to compensate for her mother’s safe return. ‘We received your message and we understand,’ she said. ‘We beg you now to return our mother to us so we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us and we will pay.’

The video shows Guthrie with her siblings, Camron and Annie, sitting beside her. Their pleas follow an announcement by local and federal authorities on Friday regarding a ‘new message’ related to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, though the specifics of the message remain undisclosed. According to Heith Janke, the special agent leading the FBI’s Phoenix field office, investigators received a ransom note with a deadline of 5 p.m. Thursday. The note demanded payment in bitcoin, with a subsequent demand set for the following Monday if the initial transfer was not completed.

Retired FBI supervisor and hostage negotiator Jason Pack commented on Guthrie’s video, highlighting the ‘extraordinary discipline under unimaginable grief and pressure.’ Pack noted the calculated progression of the family’s approach, ‘In four days, they moved from an emotional plea, to a proof-of-life demand, to a public offer to pay,’ emphasizing the efforts to maintain communication and reduce barriers to Nancy’s safe return.

Guthrie’s choice to use the word ‘celebrate’ is significant, suggesting a resolution-focused approach rather than conflict, Pack pointed out. In negotiations, offering the other party a chance to end things positively is crucial, and this is exactly what the family is attempting.

Efforts to locate Nancy Guthrie continued over the weekend as detectives from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department searched the area around her home in the Catalina Foothills. No suspects or persons of interest have been identified, though the investigation is yielding promising leads. Officials removed Nancy Guthrie’s car and a camera from her home for further examination.

Additionally, deputies visited Annie Guthrie’s home to gather further evidence. Two sources indicated progress in developing useful information, yet no imminent developments were reported. The FBI announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery or the apprehension and conviction of those responsible for her disappearance.

Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s tip line at 520-351-4900.

Reporter Chris St. Peter also contributed to this report.