The Guthrie family released a new video message pleading with whoever may be holding their mother, Nancy Guthrie, to reach out and prove she is alive days after the 84-year-old’s disappearance from her Arizona home.
“Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you,” Camron Guthrie, brother of “Today” host Savannah Guthrie, said in the message posted Thursday. “We haven’t heard anything directly. We need you to reach out and we need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward.” He added, “We have to know that you have our mom,” closing, “We want to talk to you, and we are waiting for contact.”
No suspect or person of interest has been identified, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said. “Right now, we believe Nancy is still out there,” he said. “We want her home.” Authorities are operating on the belief she is alive until they find her.
The FBI on Thursday announced it is jointly investigating the case and is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved. The agency is sending additional agents and experts to assist local investigators and is reviewing digital sources, including banks, social media, phone companies and other organizations for data.
The family’s message follows a separate video posted Wednesday in which Savannah, Camron and another sibling addressed reports of a ransom letter sent to media outlets and directly asked any potential kidnappers to contact them. “We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her,” Savannah said. “We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us.”
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her Catalina Foothills home, north of Tucson, on Saturday night. She was dropped off shortly before 10 p.m. after having dinner with family. Her children reported her missing Sunday around noon after she did not show up for church.
New timeline details released Thursday by Sheriff Nanos include: at about 1:47 a.m. Sunday, the home’s doorbell camera disconnected and authorities do not have that device in their possession; at 2:12 a.m., software detected a person on a camera but no video exists because there was no subscription for that camera; and at 2:28 a.m., her pacemaker app showed a disconnect from the phone. Nanos confirmed blood was found on Guthrie’s porch. He did not confirm whether any cameras were smashed, destroyed or whether there was forced entry. Investigators say her disappearance might not be a kidnapping and are covering all angles.
Investigators are reviewing possible ransom notes. One ransom letter was sent to several local and national media outlets and made a monetary demand with a Bitcoin wallet address, according to FBI Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke. The letter referenced an Apple Watch and a smashed floodlight—details that might have been publicly known—so officials are treating the communication seriously while following leads.
An alleged imposter, Derrick Callella, was arrested in connection with a separate scheme of sending texts to family members demanding Bitcoin. A federal complaint says Callella texted both a daughter and son-in-law asking about a Bitcoin transaction two days after a local outlet received a ransom demand. He allegedly used an app to create a fake phone number and the account traced to an email linked to him; he admitted sending the texts after being read his Miranda rights. The complaint says Callella is not linked to the original Bitcoin ransom demand and charges him with transmitting a demand for ransom and intending to abuse, threaten or harass via a telecommunications device. Janke warned others trying to profit from the situation that they will be investigated and held accountable.
Law enforcement is seeking surveillance footage from home security companies. A Google spokesperson confirmed Nest is assisting law enforcement. Nanos said investigators were still awaiting surveillance from companies that own cameras at the residence.
Family members stressed Nancy’s health needs. She has physical ailments and limited mobility but reportedly does not have cognitive issues. The sheriff said she takes medication that could be fatal if not taken within about 24 hours. Savannah said in the earlier video, “Everyone is looking for you, Mommy, everywhere. We will not rest. Your children will not rest until we are together again,” adding that their mother lives in constant pain and needs vital medication.
Janke appealed to anyone involved to “do the right thing,” noting Nancy is an elderly grandmother who needs medication for her well-being. Anyone with information is urged to call 911 or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.