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The Guthrie family has expressed their willingness to meet a ransom demand, although the FBI has yet to verify its authenticity.
WASHINGTON — More than a week after Nancy Guthrie went missing, believed to be kidnapped, her family continues to plea for her safe return. As tensions rise, they have announced their readiness to pay the ransom, as a critical deadline looms.
The supposed kidnappers have set a deadline of 5 p.m. Monday for the delivery of an undisclosed sum in exchange for Nancy’s release, according to a ransom note. However, the FBI has not confirmed the legitimacy of the letter.
Despite this, Nancy’s family, including her sister, “TODAY” show host Savannah Guthrie, released a video on Sunday stating their intention to comply with the ransom demand. Specific details of the note’s requirements remain uncertain.
In the video, the three Guthrie siblings clasped hands, addressing those who have allegedly been sending ransom notes to media outlets.
“We received your message and we understand. 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,” Savannah Guthrie said in the video. “This is very valuable to us and we will pay.”
Sunday’s was the third video the family made trying to get in contact with whoever may have their mother.
Nancy Guthrie, mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing when she failed to show up for a church event Sunday, Feb 1. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said evidence at the 84-year-old’s Tucson home suggests that she was taken from the residence “against her will.”
Her blood was found on her porch, and security cameras were disabled, leaving no video evidence of what happened.
What do we know about the ransom?
Investigators said Friday afternoon they’re aware of a “new message” regarding Nancy Guthrie, but have not given any additional details.
They are taking seriously notes seeking ransom that were sent to some media outlets.
It’s unclear if all of the notes were identical. Heith Janke, the FBI chief in Phoenix, said details included a demand for money with a Thursday evening deadline and a second deadline for Monday if the first one wasn’t met. At least one note mentioned a floodlight at Guthrie’s home and an Apple watch, Janke said.
“To anyone who may be involved, do the right thing. This is an 84-year-old grandma,” Janke said.
At least three media organizations reported receiving purported ransom notes, which they handed over to investigators. Authorities made an arrest after one ransom note turned out to be fake, the sheriff said.
A note e-mailed Monday to the KOLD-TV newsroom in Tucson included information that only the abductor would know, anchor Mary Coleman told CNN.
“When we saw some of those details, it was clear after a couple of sentences that this might not be a hoax,” she said.
The sheriff said it’s possible Nancy Guthrie was targeted, but if she was, investigators don’t know if that’s because her daughter is one of television’s most visible anchors.
FBI says they’re still searching, but no suspects identified
FBI officials have repeatedly told reporters that they do not have any prime suspects in the case, and suspect “everybody.”
Authorities say any decision on whether to fulfill ransom demands ultimately is up to the family.
“It’s heartbreaking, and I pray she’s okay,” said Rosie Kedney, a woman leaving a memento outside Guthrie’s home on Sunday.
Officials have been tight-lipped about many aspects of the case, which has received a massive amount of publicity because of Savannah Guthrie’s fame.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said the slow release of information was in part to avoid copycat ransom notes from being sent.
Federal officials have already made one arrest in California of a person who allegedly sent a ransom note that they deemed was not credible. At a press conference last week, FBI officials said that person was an imposter who was simply trying to make money from the situation.