Additional Coverage:
- Authorities say no suspects in disappearance of Nancy Guthrie as officials offer $50K reward (foxnews.com)
Investigators Offer $50,000 Reward in Disappearance of Nancy Guthrie; No Persons of Interest Identified
Arizona authorities on Thursday announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie or the arrest of those involved in her disappearance. As of now, no person of interest has been identified in the suspected abduction of NBC News anchor Savannah Guthrie’s mother.
During a joint briefing with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI, officials provided updates on the ongoing investigation. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed that a family member drove Guthrie home on Saturday night, the evening before she vanished, but declined to identify the individual.
“We’re actively looking at everybody we come across in this case, everybody. It would be irresponsible if we didn’t talk to everybody,” Sheriff Nanos stated. “Everybody is still a suspect in our eyes.”
New details regarding Guthrie’s last known moments were also revealed. On the night of January 31, Guthrie arrived home around 9:48 p.m.
Within two minutes, her garage door closed, the last indication of her presence inside the residence. Nanos commented, “That time, we assume that Nancy’s home and probably going to bed.”
Around 1:47 a.m. the following morning, Guthrie’s doorbell camera disconnected. A person was detected on camera around 2:12 a.m., but due to the lack of a video or playback subscription, authorities could not confirm if it was a person or an animal. Approximately 40 minutes after the camera went offline, Guthrie’s pacemaker also lost connection to her phone application.
Guthrie was discovered missing around 11:56 a.m. when she failed to attend her regular church service. Investigators confirmed that blood found on the front porch matched Guthrie’s DNA.
Nanos declined to elaborate on whether the suspected abduction involved forced entry, stating, “we are not discussing that at all, whether it’s forced entry or not.” Additional forensic analysis results are pending.
The FBI has joined the Pima County Sheriff’s Department in the investigation, bringing in additional law enforcement resources. FBI Special Agent Keith Janke confirmed that authorities are taking a received ransom note seriously, noting its references to an Apple Watch and a floodlight. He refrained from providing further specifics.
Officials indicated that the authors of the ransom note have not yet responded to a video released Wednesday by Savannah Guthrie and her siblings. The family is hoping to establish contact. “The family is ready to talk, get proof of life because there has been no contact after that ransom note,” Janke said.
The ransom note reportedly set an initial deadline of 5:00 p.m. Thursday, with a second deadline mentioned for the following Monday. “Any action taken on any ransom is ultimately decided by the family,” Janke clarified.
Sheriff Nanos confirmed that authorities have not communicated with Mexican authorities, despite Arizona’s status as a border state.
Special Agent Janke urged those involved in the case to “do the right thing.” He appealed directly to them, stating, “To anyone that may be involved.
Do the right thing. This is an 84-year-old grandma.
This is an 84-year-old grandma that needs vital medication for her well-being. You still have the time to do the right thing before this becomes a worse, much worse scenario for you.
Please return Nancy home.”