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Savannah Guthrie, co-anchor of the “Today” show, shared a new video on Monday addressing the alarming situation involving her mother, Nancy Guthrie, who has been reported missing. A ransom demand for $6 million in Bitcoin has been made for her safe return.
“We are at an hour of desperation, and we need your help,” Savannah Guthrie posted on an Instagram video.
“We are hopeful that our mom is still alive. We urge everyone to assist us in this critical time. Law enforcement is working tirelessly to ensure her safe return,” Savannah stated in the emotional video.
According to CrimeOnline, KOLD received a ransom note last Friday, stipulating a deadline of 5 p.m. MST on Monday for the Bitcoin payment. The note allegedly contained threats to harm Nancy Guthrie if the ransom was not paid. For further details, visit KGUN9’s website.
Initially, ransom demands were sent to both KOLD and KGUN, insisting on a $4 million payment in Bitcoin, with a due date of February 5. These notes warned that if the payment was not fulfilled by then, the demanded amount would escalate to $6 million by February 9. More details can be found here.
The FBI, as of February 6, has stated, “Investigators are diligently verifying the authenticity of the information contained within the ransom message.”
“Investigators are actively inspecting the information provided in the message for its authenticity,” the FBI said on February 6.
TMZ reports that as of Monday morning, no funds have been sent to the Bitcoin account set up in connection with the case.
The ransom notes reportedly did not provide any proof of life or a way for loved ones to communicate with Nancy Guthrie, who needs daily medication to survive.
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Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her Catalina Hills home in Arizona, shortly before 10 p.m. on January 31. Her family reported her missing at around noon on February 1, after she missed church.
Investigators later found blood on her front porch, confirmed to be Nancy’s. Officials said that around 1:47 a.m. on February 1, Nancy’s doorbell camera had been disconnected. At 2 a.m., Nancy’s pacemaker pinged her phone.
At around 2:12 a.m., security camera software detected movement, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said, although he could not confirm where the movement came from.
On Thursday, the FBI announced a $50,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of anyone associated with Nancy Guthrie’s abduction.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). Tipsters can also contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department tip line at 520-351-4900.
[Feature Photo: Savannah and Nancy Guthrie/Instagram]