Pacemaker Data Points to Struggle Before Nancy Guthrie's Abduction
A leading cardiologist has theorised that data from Nancy Guthrie's pacemaker might indicate she was involved in a physical struggle just before her kidnapping. The 84-year-old mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie is believed to have been abducted late Saturday night from her home in Tucson, Arizona.
Heart Rate Spike at 2am Sunday
Police previously revealed that her implanted medical device recorded one last heart rate spike around 2am Sunday, which was transmitted to her Apple Watch and iPhone. Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a prominent heart doctor and former physician to Vice President Dick Cheney, told CNN that this data could be significant.
'If a person was in a physical struggle, that might have created a rapid heartbeat over a certain threshold, the pacemaker would have detected that and potentially reported it,' Reiner explained on Thursday.
Active Crime Scene with Blood Evidence
Authorities have been treating Guthrie's home as an active crime scene after discovering blood leading from the front of the house to the driveway. At a press conference on Thursday, authorities confirmed the blood belonged to Nancy Guthrie. Police stated they are no closer to identifying a suspect but emphasised that no one has been ruled out.
Investigators found that a doorbell camera had been removed from its spot by the time they arrived on Sunday. They also discovered Guthrie's Apple devices inside her home. Her Apple Watch stopped syncing with the implanted pacemaker device around 2am Sunday.
Ransom Notes and FBI Involvement
At least three media organisations have reported receiving purported ransom notes, which they handed over to investigators. The sheriff's department said it was taking the notes and other tips seriously but declined to comment further.
One ransom note sent to TMZ demanded millions in Bitcoin for Guthrie's release, though its authenticity remains unclear. The FBI has confirmed making one arrest related to an imposter ransom demand.
Family's Emotional Appeal
Nancy Guthrie lives in a $1 million home in the affluent Catalina Foothills neighbourhood. Her daughter Savannah, estimated to earn around $8 million annually as a prominent talk show host, released an emotional video statement on Instagram with her siblings Annie and Camron.
'Mommy, if you are hearing this, you are a strong woman. You are God's precious daughter,' Savannah Guthrie said in the video. 'Our mom is a kind, faithful, loyal, fiercely loving woman of goodness and light.'
She directly addressed potential kidnappers, stating 'we are ready to talk' but requested proof that they weren't using manipulated images. 'We need to know, without a doubt, that she is alive and that you have her,' she added through tears.
Possible Connection to Today Show Feature
Now five days into the mysterious disappearance, NBC fears a recent Today Show feature might have inadvertently placed Nancy Guthrie in danger. Approximately three months ago, Savannah Guthrie returned to Tucson for a nostalgic tour that aired in November, framing the city as where her 'soul is home.'
Her mother Nancy made a rare on-air appearance during that episode. The search for Nancy Guthrie continues as authorities pursue all leads in this developing investigation.
