‘Hour of Desperation’: Savannah Guthrie Urges Nationwide Help in Mom’s Disappearance/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Savannah Guthrie is urging the public to help investigators find her missing mother, Nancy Guthrie. The FBI says there is no confirmed contact with suspected abductors and no proof she is alive. Authorities continue expanding the search as concerns grow over the 84-year-old’s health.
Savannah Guthrie Missing Mother Search – Quick Looks
- Savannah Guthrie issues nationwide plea for help
- Nancy Guthrie missing for more than a week
- FBI reports no confirmed communication with abductors
- $50,000 reward offered for information
- Alleged ransom deadlines have passed
- Health concerns heighten urgency due to medical needs
- Law enforcement expands search across multiple locations
Deep Look
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Savannah Guthrie made an emotional appeal to the public as the search for her missing mother entered another critical phase, urging anyone with information — anywhere in the country — to come forward as investigators struggle to find proof that her mother is alive.
In a video posted Monday evening, Guthrie said the family was at “an hour of desperation” after repeated efforts to reach those believed responsible for her mother’s disappearance failed to produce communication or confirmation of her safety.
“We are entering another week of this nightmare,” Guthrie said. “She was taken and we don’t know where, and we need your help.”
FBI Seeks Public Assistance
The Federal Bureau of Investigation said Monday it is not aware of any ongoing communication between the Guthrie family and suspected abductors more than a week after Nancy Guthrie, 84, vanished from her home outside Tucson.
The FBI has not identified any suspects or persons of interest, spokesperson Connor Hagan said. The bureau is operating a 24-hour command post staffed with investigative teams and crisis-management experts and is actively requesting tips from the public.
“Someone has that one piece of information that can help us bring Nancy home,” Hagan said.
To broaden outreach, the FBI has placed digital billboards in major cities across Texas, California, Arizona, and New Mexico and is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to her recovery.
Ransom Notes and Missed Deadlines
Multiple media outlets have received alleged ransom letters during the past week. At least one included financial demands and deadlines for payment. The first deadline passed last Thursday, and a second reportedly expired Monday evening.
‘Law enforcement officials have not confirmed the authenticity of the letters but say all tips are being investigated seriously. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said its tip lines have received thousands of calls.
In earlier videos, Guthrie and her siblings said the family was prepared to pay for Nancy Guthrie’s safe return. Monday’s message shifted focus toward gathering clues and public vigilance rather than negotiation.
Health Concerns Add Urgency
Authorities say they are increasingly worried about Nancy Guthrie’s health. She requires daily medication, has a pacemaker, and suffers from high blood pressure and heart issues, according to sheriff’s dispatcher audio.
Investigators believe she was taken against her will from her home just outside Tucson. She was last seen there on Jan. 31 and was reported missing the following day after failing to attend church.
Sheriff Chris Nanos has said DNA testing confirmed blood found on her front porch belonged to Guthrie, and her doorbell camera was disconnected in the early morning hours after she was last seen.
Ongoing Search Activity
Outside Nancy Guthrie’s home Monday, neighbors passed by on morning walks as a sheriff’s deputy remained stationed outside. Law enforcement activity has continued at multiple locations.
Investigators were inside the home of Guthrie’s daughter, Annie, over the weekend, about four miles from Nancy Guthrie’s residence. On Sunday, an investigator was seen using a pole to search an underground tank behind the missing woman’s home.
The sheriff’s department said investigative work at Guthrie residences will continue as part of an expanding search and follow-up on new leads.
National Attention
The case has drawn intense national attention, from online sleuths flooding social media with tips and theories to Donald Trump, who spoke with Savannah Guthrie last week.
Despite the spotlight, Guthrie said the family’s hope now rests heavily on the public.
“No matter where you are,” she said, “if you see anything, if you hear anything — please help us.”
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