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Ransom deadline expires as family pleads for help
A second ransom deadline for the safe return of Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC anchor Savannah Guthrie, has passed without authorities identifying a suspect. The deadline, set for 17:00 local time (00:00 GMT) on Monday, came as Guthrie's family issued a desperate public appeal for information.
Family's emotional plea
In a video posted on Instagram, Savannah Guthrie described her family as being "at an hour of desperation." Speaking alone in the latest recording-unlike previous videos where she appeared with siblings-Guthrie urged the public to report any suspicious activity, even if unrelated to Tucson, Arizona, where her mother disappeared.
"She was taken, and we don't know where. And we need your help. If you see anything, if you hear anything, if there's anything at all that seems strange to you, that you report to law enforcement."
Savannah Guthrie
Investigation status
The FBI confirmed it had not received "any continued communication" between the Guthrie family and suspected kidnappers. Authorities are treating an email containing a ransom note-sent to U.S. media outlets and setting the Monday deadline-as credible, according to CBS, the BBC's U.S. partner.
A prior ransom demand, requiring payment in Bitcoin, expired on 5 February without resolution. Nancy Guthrie was reported missing on 1 February after failing to attend a Sunday church service, prompting concern from family members.
Law enforcement response
The Pima County Sheriff's Office stated just before the deadline that no new public updates were available but confirmed the investigation remained "active and ongoing." The FBI, leading efforts related to ransom communications, has established a 24-hour command post in Tucson, staffed with crisis experts, analysts, and investigative teams.
FBI Special Agent Heith Janke revealed last week that the agency was reviewing a ransom note sent to multiple media outlets. The note specified a Thursday deadline (time zone unclear) and the subsequent Monday cutoff. FBI Director Kash Patel arrived in Tucson on Monday for a pre-scheduled visit unrelated to the case.
Reward and public assistance
The FBI is offering a $50,000 (£36,000) reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie's whereabouts. The agency continues to urge the public to contact its tip line, emphasizing that agents from across the U.S. have been deployed to assist in the search.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on 31 January when she vanished from her Tucson home during the night. Authorities believe she was taken against her will.
