The disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie, has gripped the US public for six days with no resolution. The case involves blood droplets, a mysterious white van, and a ransom note sent to a celebrity news website, but no suspects have been identified.
According to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department in Tucson, Arizona, Guthrie was last seen at 9.48pm on 31 January after being dropped off at her home following dinner with her daughter Annie and son-in-law. At 1.47am, her Ring doorbell camera disconnected, and at 2.12am, motion was detected but no footage was recorded. Her pacemaker app disconnected at 2.28am. The following morning, family found her missing after she missed church. Blood droplets on the porch were later confirmed as hers.
Three ransom notes demanding millions in Bitcoin were sent via email to TMZ and two Tucson outlets, containing details about the crime scene. FBI Special Agent Heith Janke confirmed the notes included information about an Apple Watch and a broken floodlight. The FBI advises that ransom decisions are ultimately made by the family.
In a tearful Instagram appeal, Savannah Guthrie pleaded for her mother’s return, requesting proof of life and acknowledging the risk of deepfakes. She later posted another video offering to pay the captors. Sheriff Chris Nanos stated there are no suspects or persons of interest, and a neighbour reported seeing a white panel van nearby before the disappearance.
