Police are probing a series of “ransom notes” in their hunt for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC Today show presenter Savannah Guthrie.
Mrs Guthrie was last seen in her Arizona home on Saturday at 9.30pm, and was reported missing when she did not attend Sunday service at 11am.
On Tuesday, US outlet TMZ was sent an alleged ransom note which asked for an amount of money in the millions to be deposited into a Bitcoin wallet.
The note is said to contain a deadline and an element of “or else”.
The Pima County Sheriff Department said in a statement: “We are aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s) regarding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie.”
The alleged note included details of items damaged in her Tucson home, and an item of clothing it specified she was not wearing.
The statement said the Pima County Sheriff Department are taking all leads seriously – all of which are sent directly to detectives who are working with the FBI.
PICTURED: A sign outside Mrs Guthrie’s Arizona home after her alleged abduction
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Last year, the broadcaster paid tribute to her mother on Instagram for Mother’s Day, describing her as ‘God’s first, best and most important gift to me’ | INSTAGRAM/SAVANNAHGUTHRIEMrs Guthrie takes medication every 24 hours. A reporter asked Sheriff Chris Nanos today if they are still looking for her alive.
Mr Nanos said: “We hope we are.”
The FBI’s John Edwards also attended today’s press conference and said the FBI is supporting the investigation in every way they can, including analysing cell tower information.
Mr Nanos said the investigation does not currently have video footage from security cameras at the Guthrie residence, and was working with camera manufacturers to obtain the footage.
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Police have issued a missing persons poster in their bid to find Nancy Guthrie | PIMA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICEHe also said DNA, fingerprints, and camera evidence from the scene has been sent to labs and the investigation is “waiting for those returns to come back”.
Mr Nanos in his initial press conference on Monday said he believed the disappearance was a crime after investigators assessed the conditions inside her house.
Photographs from the scene appear to show blood splatters on the pavement outside the 84-year-old’s front door.
He declined to comment on reports of blood – but said there was no indication from lab processing on who may be responsible.
The White House has also weighed in – in a statement, it said: “The search for Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, is ongoing, and authorities are requesting assistance from the public. Anyone with information is urged to contact 911.
“Our prayers are with the Guthrie family as we hope for Nancy’s safe return home.”
Sheriff Chris Nanos in his initial press conference on Monday said he believed the disappearance was a crime
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President Trump personally was asked about the abduction in a press conference earlier today.
“I think it’s terrible,” said the President.
He added he would call Savannah Guthrie later.
Savannah Guthrie was due to co-host NBC’s coverage of the Winter Olympics opening ceremony on Friday, but will no longer take part.
