The disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of “Today” show anchor Savannah Guthrie, entered its ninth day Monday, with a reported ransom deadline approaching and the family issuing fresh pleas for her safe return.
Law enforcement remained stationed at Nancy Guthrie’s home Monday morning, following visits to that property and her daughter Annie’s residence over the weekend. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department stated that it is conducting the investigation at several sites and will continue guarding the home per the family’s wishes.
In a new Instagram video posted on Monday afternoon, Savannah Guthrie thanked supporters for their “prayers and love” toward her mother.
“We believe that somehow, someway, she is feeling these prayers and that God is lifting her, even in this moment, in this darkest place,” she said.
Unlike earlier messages directed at her mother and potential captors, this one spoke straight to the public.
“We believe our mom is still out there,” Guthrie continued. “We need your help.” She urged anyone spotting anything “strange” to contact authorities, “no matter where you are, even if you’re far from Tucson.”
Guthrie added, “We are at an hour of desperation, and we need your help.”
The video followed a third family plea released on Saturday, in which Savannah Guthrie and her siblings begged for their mother’s release.
“We beg you now to return our mother to us, so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace,” she said, before stating, “We will pay.”
Purported ransom notes from possible abductors demand $6 million by 5 p.m. on Monday, with threats to Nancy Guthrie’s life if unmet, according to CNN affiliate KGUN.
CNN Senior Law Enforcement Analyst Andrew McCabe suggested the family’s latest message indicates no direct negotiations are underway.
“This message does not sound like the message that you would expect to hear from a family that is currently negotiating the return of their loved one,” he told CNN.
McCabe noted the Guthries likely have not gotten responses to prior videos addressing captors.
On the “Today” show, former co-host Hoda Kotb filled in for Savannah Guthrie on Monday, calling the family “our top priority.” This came after Guthrie shared a statement about the disappearance on the program last week.
