Savannah Guthrie, an NBC “Today” show host, posted a recorded video message to the person authorities believe kidnapped her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, asking for proof her mother is alive. In the message, Guthrie said her family is ready to talk, but that it needs “to know without a doubt” that Nancy Guthrie is alive and in the kidnapper’s custody.
Guthrie said she and her family have heard media reports about a ransom letter tied to Nancy Guthrie, who authorities believe was taken from her Arizona home against her will. She said officials conducted a search in and around Nancy Guthrie’s home Wednesday after earlier investigative work, and she used the video to call for contact. She also said her family is aware that “voices and images are easily manipulated,” and that any response must include verification that her mother is alive.
During the recording, Guthrie appeared emotional as she addressed her mother directly, telling her that the family is praying and that “people are looking for her.” She described Nancy Guthrie as “kind, faithful, loyal, fiercely loving woman of goodness and light,” and said family members want her to come home. Guthrie’s sister Annie and her brother Camron also spoke in the video, with Annie telling their mother, “We miss you” and urging her to “come home.”
The family posted the message after police searched the Catalina Foothills neighborhood home for several hours Wednesday. Kevin Adger, a spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, said investigators had been at the home earlier in the week for a couple of days and then returned it to the family with an understanding they could go back if needed. He described Wednesday’s activity as a follow-up investigation, and he said the sheriff’s department was not commenting on the video released by the family.
Authorities said Wednesday they had not identified a suspect or person of interest. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos’ office said detectives were still speaking with anyone who had contact with Nancy Guthrie last weekend, and that detectives had not identified a suspect. Nanos suggested investigators had video from some cameras but did not elaborate, saying that material had been submitted and investigators were working with companies that own or built the cameras.
Investigators reported signs of forced entry at Nancy Guthrie’s home, and officials said they did not believe she left on her own. The reporting also described that Guthrie has limited mobility and health conditions, including high blood pressure, a pacemaker and heart issues, based on audio from a broadcast source cited in the coverage.
As the investigation continued, supporters in Tucson held an evening vigil at a church, where attendees placed lit candles on an altar and prayed for Nancy Guthrie’s safe return. Across the country, Victory Church in Albany, New York, announced it was offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to finding Nancy Guthrie. Pastor Charlie Muller said his church had been watching Savannah Guthrie’s program and had heard about Nancy Guthrie’s faith.
In Washington, the White House said President Donald Trump called and spoke with Savannah Guthrie on Wednesday. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he was directing “ALL Federal Law Enforcement” to be available to help “IMMEDIATELY,” saying his administration was deploying resources to get Nancy Guthrie home safely. NBC said Savannah Guthrie would not be at her usual post on “Today,” with NBC Sports stating she would focus on being with her family during the situation.
Authorities have said the case remains under investigation, with detectives continuing to follow leads from people who had contact with Nancy Guthrie last weekend and with no suspect publicly identified as of Wednesday. As the family requested “proof of life” from the person they believe has Nancy Guthrie, the sheriff’s office said it remained focused on the search and the evidence being gathered.