“Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie‘s family has spent the past week pleading publicly for the safe return of Nancy Guthrie, releasing three emotional video appeals directed at those believed to be holding her.
Each message has reflected the growing urgency and desperation of a family waiting for answers. Now, as the investigation enters its eighth day, a reported ransom demand has introduced a deeply troubling new dimension to a case that has drawn national attention and intensified concern.
A local Arizona television station reported that individuals claiming responsibility for Nancy’s disappearance are demanding a multimillion-dollar payment in Bitcoin, with a deadline set for Monday evening.
$6 Million Bitcoin Demand Reported by Local Station
The ransom amount was first reported by KGUN9 in Tucson. Reporter JJ McKinney said the station received one of several ransom notes sent to media outlets.
“Multiple ransom notes have been sent out to the media, including one that was sent to us,” McKinney reported.
“In the letter, the potential kidnappers demanded that the Guthries pay them $6 million by this Monday.”
According to the report, the note warned that Nancy’s life is in danger if the deadline, set for 5 p.m. local time on Monday, is not met.
NBCUniversalAuthorities have not publicly confirmed the demand, but investigators continue to treat the situation as active and rapidly developing.
Savannah Guthrie’s Plea to Alleged Abductors
On 7th February, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings, Annie and Camron, released a new message addressed to the people believed to be holding their mother.
“We received your message and we understand,” Savannah said in the Instagram video.
She went on to plead, “We beg you now to return our mother to us, so that we can celebrate with her,” later adding that her mother’s return is “very valuable to us” and that “we will pay.”
“This is the only way we will have peace,” she said.
Sunday marked the eighth day since Nancy was last seen on January 31, following dinner and a game night at Annie’s home. She was reported missing around noon the next day.
Late-Night Searches at Annie Guthrie‘s Homes Raise New Questions
The same day, just hours after Savannah’s Instagram video on Saturday, law enforcement returned to both Annie’s home and Nancy’s residence in Tucson, signaling continued investigative activity.
Authorities have not explained what prompted the renewed presence or whether any evidence was recovered.
Fox News Digital reported seeing investigators inside Annie’s home, capturing what appeared to be camera flashes from within the residence.
Brian Entin of NewsNation shared updates from outside the property as the activity unfolded.
“I’m outside Annie Guthrie’s house where law enforcement appears to be taking photos inside,” Entin wrote.
In a follow-up post, he added, “Law enforcement appears to be at Annie Guthrie’s house. Camera flashes are coming from inside windows. Will upload video soon.”
Observers also noted unmarked police vehicles at the scene and flashes of light near the garage area. As deputies prepared to leave, one officer was seen loading a white case and what appeared to be a brown grocery-sized bag into a vehicle, according to Fox News Digital.
Deputies ultimately departed around 10:30 p.m. local time after what appeared to be a careful and methodical search.
Reporters at the scene later said they heard clanking noises from inside the home, suggesting deputies were handling or moving items. One officer was seen exiting the residence wearing latex gloves, reinforcing the forensic nature of the visit.
Investigation Expands With Search for Unidentified Man
The late-night activity came as authorities widened their focus. Earlier Saturday, Fox News Digital reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department were searching for an unidentified man.
Two plainclothes officers were seen visiting a gas station near Nancy’s home, where an employee said investigators asked to review surveillance footage while looking for “some guy” who had “got away.”
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has said the investigation remains active, with no suspects or persons of interest publicly identified as of Sunday morning.
At the time this story was published, Nancy had sadly not been found.
