Arizona officials expressed hope Thursday afternoon that Nancy Guthrie will soon be found, but identified no suspects nor a motive for her apparent abduction.
“We believe Nancy is still out there,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told reporters at a press conference.
The 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie was reported missing Sunday when she missed her weekly church service. Police believe Guthrie was kidnapped from her home in Tucson.
Nanos described the missing senior as “sharp as a tack,” but unlikely to have left on her own due to medical limitations that require daily medication. Physical evidence, including blood at the residence, also suggests she was taken against her will, according to investigators.
“At this time, we have not identified a suspect or a person of interest in this case,” Nanos confessed Thursday.
He told reporters that investigators are very much on the hunt, while awaiting unspecified laboratory results that could help in their search. The only DNA evidence verified so far is a blood sample traced back to Guthrie that was found on her porch.
Authorities said a doorbell camera at the home became disconnected at 1:47 a.m. Sunday. Security software indicated there was movement on the property shortly after 2 a.m., though police said there’s no video evidence to show who or what was detected.
Shortly before 2:30 a.m., Guthrie’s pacemaker app disconnected from her cellphone. The iPhone was later found inside the residence.
Nanos said he’d been alerted to news reports that someone forced their way into Guthrie’s home, but couldn’t verify such claims.
“I don’t know where anyone got that information,” he said.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to Guthrie’s return or the conviction of whoever kidnapped her.
He said the FBI was investigating possible ransom notes tied to Guthrie’s apparent abduction, but couldn’t speak to the authenticity of those letters. Janke said one “imposter” was arrested for trying to profit from the situation, but was reluctant to release information that others could use to complicate rescue efforts for personal gain.
Janke said a ransom note sent to at least one media outlet mentioned a deadline of 5 p.m. on Thursday. He declined to offer specifics about the message other than stating that it was being taken seriously. There’s also said to have been mention of a second deadline on Monday.
Authorities said they have spoken to several people who were in contact with Guthrie prior to her abduction, including her daughter Annie, who saw her for dinner the night before she went missing.
“Everyone is still a suspect on our eyes,” according to Nanos.
Janke said there’s no indication Guthrie was taken over the nearby border with Mexico, but that possibility can’t be ruled out. He added that FBI Director Kash Patel is expected to soon visit the Tucson area.
