Arizona officials expressed hope Thursday afternoon that Nancy Guthrie will soon be found, but identified no suspects in her apparent abduction.
“Right now, we believe Nancy is still out there,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told reporters at a press conference, while acknowledging authorities have no proof that she’s alive.
The 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie was reported missing shortly before noon on Sunday when she didn’t show up for her usual church service. Police believe Guthrie was kidnapped from her home in Tucson early that morning.
Nanos described the missing senior as “sharp as a tack,” but unlikely to have left on her own due to physical limitations and medical conditions that require daily medication. Evidence, including a trail of blood at the residence, also suggests she was taken against her will, according to investigators.
Nanos said detectives are very much on the hunt, while awaiting unspecified laboratory results that could help in their search. The only DNA evidence verified so far is a blood sample traced back to Guthrie that was found on her porch.
Investigators also released a more detailed timeline describing the hours before Guthrie went missing.
Authorities said she left her house around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday to have dinner with family members, before one of them dropped her back off at home shortly before 10 p.m.
Roughly four hours later, at 1:47 a.m. Sunday, a doorbell camera at the home became disconnected. Security software indicated there was movement on the property at 2:12 a.m., though police said Guthrie did not have an active subscription so they were unable to recover footage that shows who or what was detected.
Shortly before 2:30 a.m., the app on Guthrie’s pacemaker was disconnected from her cellphone. The iPhone was later found inside the residence.
Nanos said he was aware of reports that there was evidence someone forced their way into Guthrie’s home, but couldn’t verify such claims.
“I don’t know where anyone got that information,” he said.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to Guthrie’s return or the conviction of whoever abducted her.
He said the FBI was investigating possible ransom notes sent to multiple media outlets, but couldn’t speak to the authenticity of those letters. Janke said one “imposter” was arrested for trying to profit from the situation, but was reluctant to release any information that others could use to complicate rescue efforts for personal gain.
Janke said a ransom note sent to at least one outlet demanded money with a deadline set for 5 p.m. on Thursday. He declined to offer specifics about the message other than stating it was being taken seriously. There’s also said to have been mention of a second, more serious deadline for Monday if the first one isn’t met.
Authorities said that any decision on ransom demands is ultimately up to the family.
A day earlier, Savannah Guthrie, along with her siblings, Annie and Cameron, begged for their mother’s safe return in a video posted on social media.
They said they too had “heard the reports about a ransom letter in the media” and were willing to engage, but needed proof their mother is alive.
“We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her,” Savannah said, fighting off tears. “We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen.”
Authorities said they have spoken to several people who were in contact with Guthrie prior to her disappearance, including the family members she had dinner with the night before.
“Everyone is still a suspect on our eyes,” according to Nanos.
Janke said there’s no indication Guthrie was taken over the nearby border with Mexico, but that the possibility can’t be ruled out. He added that FBI Director Kash Patel is expected to soon visit the Tucson area.
