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By Jenna Sundel
News Reporter
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Savannah Guthrie said she thinks most of the ransom notes related to her mother’s disappearance are “not real,” but she believes the two notes she responded to were “real.”
“There are a lot of different notes, I think, that came, and I think most of them, it’s my understanding, are not real and I didn’t see them,” Guthrie said in an interview on TODAY, where she is a co-anchor. “But, you know, a person that would send a fake ransom note really has to look deeply at themselves, to a family in pain. But I believe the two notes that we received, that we responded to, I tend to believe those are real.”
Why It Matters
Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Savannah Guthrie, has been missing for nearly two months. Her disappearance has prompted a multi-agency search involving local law enforcement and the FBI. She was last seen at her home in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona, on January 31.
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Alleged ransom notes have been sent to multiple news outlets.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said at a news conference last month that there were clues at the crime scene indicating that Guthrie "did not leave on her own." He also said Nancy Guthrie needs daily medication, and it could be fatal if she did not take it every 24 hours.
What To Know
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said last month that it is aware of reports circulating about a possible ransom note or notes regarding the investigation into Nancy’s disappearance.
“We are taking all tips and leads very seriously. Anything that comes in, goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI,” the sheriff’s department wrote.
Savannah posted a video on Instagram last month, where she delivered a statement alongside her brother and sister.
"Our mom is a kind, faithful, loyal, fiercely loving woman of goodness and light," Savannah said. "She is funny, spunky and clever. She has grandchildren that adore her and crowd around her and cover her with kisses."
She also added that we "need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us."
Heith Janke, special agent in charge of the FBI Phoenix division, said at a press conference last month that the agency is in communication with the Guthrie family, and it advises and recommends from a law enforcement perspective, but any action taken on any ransom is decided by the family.
In a later video posted on social media, Savannah said, “We received your message and we understand. 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. This is very valuable to us and we will pay.”
Last month, officials announced the arrest of Derrick Callella, accused of sending fraudulent ransom messages to the Guthrie family.
Savannah said during the TODAY interview that the investigation into her mother’s disappearance is ongoing, and investigators have worked “tirelessly.”
What People Are Saying
Savannah Guthrie, in an interview with TODAY: “We need answers. We cannot be at peace without knowing, and someone can do the right thing, and it is never too late to do the right thing. And our hearts are focused on that.”
Pima County Sheriff’s Department, in a statement earlier this month: “The Pima County Sheriff’s Department continues to analyze various forms of evidence in the Nancy Guthrie case, including material from laboratories as well as images and videos captured by cameras. At this time, we will not comment on the details or status of this analysis.”
What Happens Next
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the recovery of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.
"To help keep the tip line available for actionable investigative law enforcement leads, please submit only serious and detailed fact-based information, no well-wishes or case theories. The tip line is not for personal messages to the Guthrie family," FBI Phoenix said.
Additionally, 88-CRIME is offering a reward of $102,500 for the arrest of the person or persons involved in the disappearance.
Savannah Guthrie announced on Instagram that the family is offering a reward of up to $1 million, payable only for her mother's recovery.
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