More than five months after Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today Show host Savannah Guthrie, disappeared from her home in Arizona, her whereabouts remain unknown. The case has been marked by conflicting statements from the FBI regarding ransom notes, with an official initially dismissing three widely reported communications as fake before the agency backtracked to confirm some demands may still be legitimate.
FBI statement and backtrack
Earlier this week, an FBI official spoke exclusively to Reuters on condition of anonymity, stating, 'None of the ransom notes are believed to be genuine.' However, hours later, the FBI appeared to reverse course, confirming that there are still ransom demands deemed 'potentially legitimate.' The agency said, 'This case continues to be investigated as a kidnapping for ransom case.' In the original Reuters report, the FBI official said investigators determined that the first two ransom notes were from the same sender, though it was not specified how that conclusion was drawn.
Timeline of the kidnapping
Nancy Guthrie is believed to have been taken against her will from her home in the affluent Catalina Foothills area outside Tucson, Arizona. Doorbell footage released by the FBI from the early hours of February 1 showed a masked individual carrying a backpack approaching her porch. The next morning, Nancy failed to show up at a friend's house for church. Her family was alerted, and she was reported missing shortly after. She was last seen by a family member the evening before, with whom she had been having dinner. They dropped her off at her house at around 9:45 p.m. on Saturday night and watched to ensure she got inside safely.
Motive and family concerns
Aside from the reported initial ransom note demanding millions in Bitcoin—which an FBI official told Reuters was not credible—the motive for Nancy Guthrie's abduction remains unclear. In March, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, who is investigating, said authorities believed they knew the motive. In an interview with NBC News, Nanos stated, 'We believe that it was targeted, but we're not 100% sure of that.' During an emotional chat with Today's Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie recalled a phone call with her brother where she asked, 'Do you think it's because of me?' She says he replied, 'Well, I'm sorry sweetie, but yeah, maybe.'
Arrests and detentions
In February, a man spoke to reporters after being taken into custody and detained before being released. He claims he wasn't asked any questions. Another man, Luke Daley, also discussed being detained in February in an interview with True Crime Arizona host Briana Whitney, stating he had 'nothing to do with this case.' His attorney confirmed to People that Daley and his mother were both detained by law enforcement while search warrants were being executed on their property. They were held for four hours and released with no charges, according to the publication. Derrick Callella, 42, was arrested on February 5, days after Nancy went missing, for sending fake ransom demands. The US Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona announced on Thursday, July 2, that he had pleaded guilty to two counts of harassment using a telecommunication device. A formal sentencing will take place on September 10.
Content of the ransom notes
Contrary to some reports, NBC claimed there was no apology or request for payment for Nancy's body in the second, widely reported ransom note that horrifyingly announced she had died. At the time, Airmail said there was a 'sputtering and laboured apology.' The publication also claimed that it was stated that there was a possibility her body could be delivered for a sum of money. NBC reported that the first ransom note requested cryptocurrency for her release, and it was claimed she was safe. CBS said that, according to investigators, the first note included very specific details about Nancy's home, including that her back porch light was broken and an Apple Watch with a white strap was on the floor of her bedroom. It also reported that authorities believe both notes were likely sent by the same group of people or the person who abducted the 84-year-old. CBS also said that, according to investigators, both notes were likely sent from the same computer IP address.
Third correspondence and ongoing investigation
The third correspondence referenced by Reuters is in reference to an email sent to TMZ, claiming to know the identities of Guthrie's kidnappers and be in possession of a video of the 'main guy' and Nancy the day she died. In its reporting, TMZ says this is somebody who has been in touch with them since February. The Pima County Sheriff's Department told Metro on June 23: 'The investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie remains active and ongoing. The Pima County Sheriff's Department continues to work closely with the FBI as investigators follow up on leads, review information, and pursue the facts surrounding this case.' In a statement sent to Metro around the same time, the FBI declined to comment. President Donald Trump was quizzed recently on the case, after he claimed in February that he would direct the Justice Department to seek the death penalty for those responsible. He has since told the media: 'I hope they find her. I mean, Savannah's gone through a rough — that family's gone through hell. I hope they find her.'
