FBI adds $100,000 reward; ransom notes offer conflicting accounts
Savannah Guthrie has issued a new plea for help finding her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie. Nancy was reported missing from her home in Tucson, Arizona, on 1 February, and authorities believe she was abducted. In a Sunday Instagram post, the Today co-host asked people to share what they know.
Guthrie posted a photo of an old drawing made by her daughter that features an umbrella and bears the words, “I know it might not seem like it but I really need my mommy.” She paired it with a photo of Nancy and wrote: “Found this old drawing from my daughter today. It says so much about how I feel. The world goes on, things appear ‘normal’ – as we try to keep going and be strong, especially for our young kids – but it’s not and it never will be.”
Guthrie wrote, “We ache for her, we cry out for answers, we cannot move forward.” She asked, “We need someone to help us, tell us what you know.” She also wrote, “Our mom was a light in this world. We want to celebrate her and give her the dignity she deserves.” Guthrie said, “The reward is still available,” and wrote, “Please. We are begging you. Please help us.” Her family offered $1 million for information, and the offer was still available. She thanked those who had shown kindness and asked people to pray without ceasing.
The Sunday post came about three months after an August appeal in which Guthrie urged “someone to come forward” with details about her mother’s whereabouts. She asked: “Someone knows something. Someone suspects something. Someone recognizes the writing in the ransom demand notes. Someone has noticed something different, strange, troubling or just unusual – perhaps with someone they deeply love.” Her family’s $1 million reward offer remained available.
The FBI has posted an additional $100,000 reward for conclusive information about Nancy Guthrie. The agency is looking for a man approximately 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall with an average build.
Guthrie has used her role as host of the national television show Today to raise awareness of the disappearance, frequently sharing updates and appeals for information.
Investigators found drops of blood on Guthrie’s porch and recovered DNA from a glove found 2 miles (3.21 kilometers) from the home. The glove appeared to resemble one worn by a suspect seen in surveillance footage from the night of Nancy’s disappearance. It was later discredited after it was discovered that it belonged to a restaurant worker, not the abductor involved in the case.
Authorities released two ransom notes in July. The notes had been sent to a Tucson television station after the disappearance. A note sent on 2 February claimed Nancy was unharmed but frightened and demanded $4 million in cryptocurrency in exchange for her release. A second note, received four days later, claimed she had died soon after the abduction.
The two notes conflict, and authorities have not established whether Nancy Guthrie is alive. No arrests have been made in the case.