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New developments in the urgent search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, have emerged, adding a disturbing layer to the case. Authorities are currently examining ransom notes that were reportedly sent to various media outlets, although it remains unclear if these notes are authentic.
Pima County Sheriff’s Office in Arizona, while cautious, has stated that they are not ruling out the legitimacy of these notes. “We take every lead seriously,” the sheriff emphasized on Tuesday, assuring the public that each piece of information will be thoroughly investigated.
In parallel, investigators are piecing together a timeline of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, which they suspect occurred under duress from her residence near Tucson over the weekend.
Crucial to the investigation, her pacemaker last communicated with her iPhone at approximately 2 a.m. on Sunday. Notably, her iPhone was discovered left behind at the scene, according to a source familiar with the investigation.
Her pacemaker last sent a signal to her iPhone around 2am on Sunday, according to a source briefed on the investigation. Her iPhone was one of the items that was left in the house.
Even as more information about the investigation is coming out, local law enforcement says they have not identified any suspects, a message that was reiterated privately to people involved in the Nancy Guthrie case on Wednesday morning, a person close to the Guthrie family told CNN.
The sheriff’s department asked the public on Wednesday not to spread rumours about who may be responsible for the disappearance, saying they are speaking with “anyone who may have had contact with Mrs. Guthrie”.
“While we appreciate the public’s concern, the sharing of unverified accusations or false information is irresponsible and does not assist the investigation,” the department posted on X.
Media outlets receive alleged ransom notes
Those outlets say the notes also described specific evidence in Guthrie’s home, where authorities say she was last seen Saturday night. Nanos has declined to confirm whether those claims match the crime scene, but told CBS News investigators did share the note with Savannah Guthrie.
In response to a request for comment, the sheriff’s department referred CNN to a statement posted on X Tuesday.
“We are aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s) regarding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie,” the agency said.
“We are taking all tips and leads very seriously. Anything that comes in, goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI.”
Nanos has made it clear they do not believe Guthrie wandered from her home, saying she is “sharp as a tack” but has limited mobility and could not walk a long distance without assistance.
Investigators process evidence taken from Guthrie’s home
While the sheriff’s department has given few details about the investigation, more information is coming out about what was found at Nancy Guthrie’s one-story home, located in a secluded neighbourhood framed by the famous saguaro cactus native to the Sonoran Desert that blankets Tucson.
There were signs of forced entry at the home, according to a person familiar with the investigation who spoke to The Associated Press.
Learning that Guthrie’s pacemaker stopped communicating with the phone that was left in her home early on Sunday morning could provide another clue on when she was taken.
Some modern pacemakers – devices keeping the heart in a regular rhythm – can transmit data to a phone app via Bluetooth so it can be shared directly with a patient’s doctor for easier monitoring. The connection generally would be possible only when the phone is near the pacemaker. Details about the model of Guthrie’s pacemaker weren’t immediately available.
Nancy Guthrie had dinner on Saturday with family members who took her back to her home, where she lives alone, around 9.30pm, Nanos said.
Guthrie was uncharacteristically absent from church Sunday morning, prompting a friend to call relatives, who discovered she was not at home, authorities said.
The sheriff’s department collected DNA samples from the residence, Nanos said, but tests on those samples have not yet led them to any suspects.
Savannah Guthrie “has a security team” that has been staying in touch with the sheriff’s department, Nanos said. Nancy Guthrie’s home has been turned back over to Guthrie’s family.
Time is of the essence in the search for Guthrie because she takes medication daily that is critical for her health, and being without it “could be fatal,” Nanos said on Monday.
Savannah Guthrie’s news colleagues ask for public’s help
The disappearance of her mother has understandably thrown the life of Savannah Guthrie into chaos. She rushed to Tucson to be with her family at a time she was originally supposed to be preparing to host NBC’s coverage of the Winter Olympics opening ceremony on Friday from Milan, Italy.
The network confirmed on Tuesday Guthrie will no longer be hosting the program, saying plans for her replacement were still being determined.
NBC News programs throughout the week have repeatedly encouraged anyone who might have information about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance to call the Pima County Sheriff’s Department tip line.
“Savannah has shared that it was her mother who taught her the power of prayer, the types of prayers that make you get on your knees and pray for God’s protection,” Tom Llamas said on NBC Nightly News on Tuesday.
“Savannah and her family need your prayers tonight. They also need your help.”
US President Donald Trump weighed in on the disappearance during an Oval Office event on Tuesday, expressing sympathy for Guthrie and saying he was open to committing more federal resources to the search.
“I always got along very good with Savannah,” Trump said, indicating he planned to call her personally.
“Very unusual situation.”
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