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TUCSON, Ariz. (BFMG) — “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie issued a new emotional plea Monday as a second ransom deadline approached in the kidnapping of her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie.
In a video message posted online, Savannah said, “We believe our mom is still out there. We need your help. She was taken and we don’t know where,” describing the family’s situation as “an hour of desperation” as law enforcement continues searching for the missing grandmother.
Authorities in Pima County have said they believe Nancy Guthrie was abducted from her Tucson-area home on Jan. 31, and the case is being treated as a likely kidnapping. Investigators are working with federal partners, including the FBI, and have reviewed multiple purported ransom communications sent to media outlets demanding payment in Bitcoin for Guthrie’s safe return.
A ransom letter reported by several outlets called for roughly $6 million in cryptocurrency to be deposited into a specific Bitcoin account by 5 p.m. Monday in exchange for Nancy’s release. It is the second deadline tied to the alleged demand after an earlier cutoff last week passed without proof of life or confirmation that any money had been paid.
As of Monday afternoon, the balance of the publicly viewable Bitcoin address linked to the ransom was reported to be at zero, with no recorded transactions. Law enforcement officials have not publicly stated whether the family or any third party intends to meet the ransom demand, but federal authorities have emphasized that any decision to pay ultimately rests with the family.
In earlier statements, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings said they were willing to pay, addressing the alleged abductors directly in a prior video and pleading for their mother’s safe return. The latest message, released just hours before the reported deadline, strikes a more urgent tone, with Savannah thanking supporters for their prayers while asking people across the country to report anything unusual that might help investigators.
“No matter where you are, even if you’re far from Tucson, if you see anything, if you hear anything, if there’s anything at all that seems strange to you, report it to law enforcement,” she said, adding that the family believes Nancy can somehow feel the support being sent her way.
The FBI has set up a dedicated tip line and is asking anyone with information about Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts, suspicious activity near her home, or details related to the alleged ransom communications to come forward. Authorities say community awareness and timely tips could be critical as they navigate the tense hours surrounding the ransom deadline and continue the search for the missing 84-year-old.
