"Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie and her family issued an emotional video statement asking for the safe return of her mother, acknowledging that they had heard about ransom notes in the media.
"We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated," she said. "We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen.”
Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie, 84, was taken from her Tucson-area home “against her will” over the weekend. She was reported missing Sunday morning after she did not show up for church.
RELATED STORY | Ransom note demanding millions in crypto investigated in Guthrie's disappearance
KGUN, the Scripps station in Tucson, received a ransom note referencing Nancy Guthrie. It makes a specific demand for several million dollars in Bitcoin by Thursday and threatens to kill her if payment is not received by Monday. It also makes specific reference to two pieces of evidence at the crime scene, which we can not authenticate as legitimate. KGUN forwarded the full contents of the note to investigators and authorities.
Investigators say they are investigating all tips and leads; however, they note that there are still no suspects or persons of interest in the case.
President Donald Trump said he spoke with Guthrie and they her know that he is directing "all federal law enforcement" to be at the family and local law enforcement's disposal.
"We are deploying all resources to get her mother home safely," Trump stated on Truth Social.
The FBI is among the agencies already assisting in the case, including analyzing cellphone data and nearby cell towers.
Nancy Guthrie is described as 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing about 150 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said her personal belongings were found at the home and investigators are concerned because she takes medication that could be life-threatening if not taken.
"Her health, her heart, is fragile," Savannah Guthrie said in the video posted Wednesday night. "She lives in constant pain. She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive. She needs it not to suffer."
Savannah Guthrie, who has openly talked about her faith, also thanked people for their prayers, saying her family feels them and she believes her mother feels them as well.
