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NBC host speaks out on mother's disappearance
Savannah Guthrie, co-anchor of NBC's Today show, has publicly shared her belief that her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, was kidnapped from her home near Tucson, Arizona, on February 1. Two ransom notes demanding money have since surfaced, though authorities have not confirmed their authenticity.
The day Nancy Guthrie vanished
Guthrie described the moment her sister called with the news. "I said, 'Is everything OK?' And she said, 'No.' She said, 'Mom's missing,'" the television host recalled in an emotional interview on Today. "I said, 'What? What are you talking about?' She said, 'She's gone.'"
When family members arrived at Nancy Guthrie's home, they found doors propped open. Her purse, mobile phone, and other belongings remained inside, but there was no sign of her. A doorbell camera had been removed from the front door, raising further suspicions.
Investigation points to kidnapping
Initially, the family considered the possibility of a medical emergency, but calls to local hospitals yielded no results. Security footage later showed a masked individual near the home before Nancy Guthrie's disappearance. Days afterward, the FBI confirmed that two ransom notes were sent to media outlets, including TMZ.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos stated that authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was "targeted" and that they know the motive, though he declined to disclose details, citing the ongoing investigation.
Fame and fear: A painful connection
Guthrie wrestled with the possibility that her public profile may have made her mother a target. "To think that I brought this to her bedside, that it's because of me," she said. "I'd just say: 'I'm so sorry, Mommy. I'm so sorry.'"
Before her disappearance, Nancy Guthrie was in "tremendous pain" and struggled to walk, making it unlikely she wandered off, her daughter noted. The family has since offered a $1 million reward, in addition to the FBI's $100,000 pledge, for information leading to her safe return.
Family clings to hope amid uncertainty
Guthrie temporarily stepped away from her Today show duties following the incident, missing planned coverage of the Winter Olympics. While she is expected to return to work, no timeline has been set.
The family has acknowledged the grim possibility that Nancy Guthrie may no longer be alive, but Guthrie emphasized the need for answers. "We need to know," she said.
