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Billy Bush, a former colleague of Savannah Guthrie, has voiced his opinion that NBC should promptly pay the $6 million ransom for the safe return of her mother, Nancy.
During an appearance on The Sunday Briefing on Fox News, the ex-Today show co-host described the situation as both surreal and emotionally taxing for Guthrie, whom he considers a close friend.
Nancy Guthrie, aged 84, disappeared from her home on February 1 without her necessary medication. Authorities suspect she was kidnapped, though they have yet to identify any suspects.
Bush expressed hope regarding the ransom demand, which was sent to a local news outlet earlier this week. He suggested that the $6 million sum should not be a significant barrier for NBC to overcome.
“The demand is reportedly for a $6 million bitcoin ransom by Monday at 5:00 PM; this indicates that Nancy Guthrie is likely unharmed,” Bush commented. “For NBC, $6 million should be a manageable amount to transfer quickly.”
The ransom message was reportedly sent to a local Arizona TV station, with the kidnappers demanding the payment by Monday evening.
Bush told anchor Peter Doocy the bizarre circumstances feel more like something out of a fictional thriller than real life.
He said the emotional toll on Savannah Guthrie has been devastating- particularly in the 22‑second video she posted Saturday night, pleading directly with her mother’s abductors.
Natalie Morales, Savannah Guthrie, Billy Bush and Kit Hoover appear on NBC News’ ‘Today’ show. Bush said that the company ought to pay the ransom to get Guthrie’s mother back safely
Billy Bush (left) said NBC should ‘easily’ pay the $6 million ransom being demanded for the safe return of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, 84‑year‑old Nancy Guthrie
Savannah Guthrie has released a new video message to her missing mom Nancy’s captors, telling them her family has ‘received your message’
Joined by her siblings Camron and Annie, the Today co‑anchor appeared emotionally spent as she assured the abductors the family would cooperate.
‘We received your message and we understand,’ Savannah Guthrie said. ‘We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us and we will pay.’
Bush said the clip made clear how overwhelmed she has become in the nine days since her mother vanished.
‘[She was] notably more beaten down, sad, wearing the same clothes as she was wearing in the first one,’ he said of Savannah’s newest video. ‘She’s obviously getting no sleep at all.’
He emphasized that paying the ransom is the only viable route to getting Nancy Guthrie home safely, and could ultimately help authorities locate and hold the perpetrators accountable.
Bush said that once Nancy is returned, investigators can move swiftly to track down the suspects and ensure they face what he called the ‘ultimate consequence.’
The search for Savannah Guthrie’s mother Nancy has entered its eighth day – with investigators seen probing a septic tank at the 84-year-old woman’s home.
On Sunday, Fox News shared footage from the property in Tucson, Arizona, showing law enforcement officials using a pole to check inside a manhole behind the house.
An official vehicle has also been spotted outside the residence.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, (right) the mother of Today Show star Savannah Guthrie (left), vanished from her home in Tucson, Arizona, eight days ago. The pair is pictured together in Sydney, Australia in 2015
In an aerial view, media are stationed outside the home of Nancy Guthrie
Savannah with her mother Nancy, and her sister Annie
Nancy was last seen on January 31 and was reported missing on the morning of February 1 after members of her church told her family that she did not attend a service that morning.
When her family members went to check on her, she was nowhere to be found – prompting them to call the police.
Police believe that Nancy is alive, as Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told reporters on Friday night: ‘What I believe is that Nancy was removed from her home against her will, and that we need to find her. That’s what I believe. She’s still alive.’