Camron Guthrie, brother of NBC “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie, issued a new plea Thursday asking whoever may be holding their mother, 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, to make contact. Nancy disappeared over the weekend from her Tucson, Arizona, home; authorities say the case may involve an abduction.
In a video posted to Savannah Guthrie’s Instagram account, Camron said the family has not had direct contact and implored the person or people with their mother to reach out so they can begin to move forward. “We need you to reach out, and we need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward,” he said. “But first, we have to know that you have our mom. We want to talk to you, and we are waiting for contact.”
The video was posted at about 5 p.m. local time, which FBI Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke said matched the first deadline specified in a ransom note — though that note did not indicate a time zone.
The Guthrie siblings — Savannah, Camron and Annie — had released an emotional video Wednesday asking for proof that their mother is alive and urging anyone with information to reach out. “We are ready to talk,” Savannah said in that appeal, while stressing the family needs assurance that Nancy is alive before engaging further.
Former FBI agent Jeff Harp told CBS News the investigation hinges on establishing communication with anyone who might be responsible. Without a line of contact, Harp said, investigators cannot obtain a credible proof-of-life or begin negotiations that could lead to Nancy’s recovery.
Pima County authorities say the family reported Nancy missing Sunday after she did not attend church. Sheriff Chris Nanos said she had dined at daughter Annie’s home Saturday and was later driven back to her own residence by Annie’s husband, Tommaso Cioni.
Investigators reported several concerning timeline details: Nancy’s doorbell camera went offline about 1:47 a.m. Sunday; at 2:12 a.m. another camera briefly flagged what the system identified as a person, though that footage has not been recovered and may have been an animal; and at 2:28 a.m. her pacemaker disconnected from its cellphone app. Blood found outside the home has been confirmed to be Nancy’s, and officials are awaiting results from additional forensic samples.
Sheriff Nanos said no suspect or person of interest has been identified and the disappearance is being treated as a criminal matter. The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery or the arrest and conviction of those involved. “Right now, we believe Nancy is still out there,” Nanos said. “We want her home.”