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A purported ransom note in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of TODAY Show anchor Savannah Guthrie, reportedly contained chilling details on the night of her disappearance.
The note, which was sent to a local Arizona news station, included information about Guthrie's Tucson home and what she was wearing last Saturday (January 31) night, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told CBS News Tuesday (February 3). It's unclear whether the note sent to KOLD-TV was the same reportedly sent to TMZ demanding a substantial amount of Bitcoin on Tuesday as Nanos refused to confirm whether the details matched the crime scene.
“It’s like any piece of evidence. You give it to us, you give us a lead, we’re going to look at every aspect of that lead,” Nanos said.
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings shared a video pleading for their mother's return Wednesday (February 4) evening.
“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,“ Savannah said, along with her brother, Cameron, and sister, Annie, as their 84-year-old mother was still reported missing for a fourth day.
The Guthries’ plea came hours after Nanos told the New York Times that Tommaso Cioni, who's married to Annie Guthrie, was the last person to see Nancy, having made sure she got inside her home safely after having dinner with the couple on Saturday (January 31).
Nancy was reported to have vanished at some point between the dropoff at 9:45 p.m. local time and Sunday (February 1) morning as friends became concerned that she was absent from church. Nanos said that Guthrie's family has cooperated with investigators in the four days since Nancy's disappearance, which authorities are considering a crime though no suspects have been named.
Savannah Guthrie previously issued a new statement asking fans to "please pray" amid her mother’s disappearance. Blood was reportedly found alongside signs of forced entry at Nancy Guthrie's Catalina Hills home, law enforcement sources told the Los Angeles Times, though it hasn't been confirmed who the blood belonged to.
“At this point, investigators believe she was taken from the home against her will, possibly [in the] middle of the night,” Pima County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Kevin Adger said. “Detectives are looking into a possible kidnapping or abduction.”
DNA evidence found at Guthrie's home is also reportedly being inspected, KVOA reports. The 84-year-old reportedly left her car and cellphone at the scene and data from the device could provide more details on when she was taken, ABC News reports.
“We know she didn’t just walk out of there,” said Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos via CNN. “She did not leave on her own.”
Nancy was described as being "not of good physical health" and a "vulnerable adult" following her disappearance. Homicide detectives were also reported to have searched the 84-year-old's home, which authorities confirmed wasn't standard protocol in a missing person case.
“We’ve pretty much thrown everything at this as we can,” Nanos said about the search mission during the press conference. “I don’t need to tell you, this is very concerning to us; we don’t typically get the sheriff out on a scene like this but it is very concerning.
NBC confirmed Tuesday that Savannah Guthrie had pulled out from her previously scheduled duties covering the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics after her mother was reported missing in Arizona. The journalist was set to travel to Italy ahead of the start of the Winter Olympics on Friday (February 6) and host alongside Terry Gannon, as well as stay in Italy for a week to record the TODAY Show alongside her longtime former co-host Hoda Kotb and provide commentary for the event with Gannon and three-time snowboarding gold medalist Shaun White.
"Savannah will not be joining us at the Olympics as she focuses on being with her family during this difficult time," an NBC spokesperson told USA TODAY in a statement.