What we're covering
• Family says “we will pay”: Missing Nancy Guthrie’s children posted a new plea for their mother’s return on social media, with “Today” host Savannah Guthrie saying, “we will pay.” Purported ransom notes had demanded millions in Bitcoin in exchange for her return and a second deadline is approaching on Monday.
• No suspects: There have been no suspects named as the search for Guthrie enters its eighth day. Law enforcement officials were seen at the home of Guthrie’s daughter Annie late Saturday, one day after drone footage showed deputies and agents searching the missing woman’s property.
• New ransom note details emerge: Guthrie’s purported abductor or abductors are demanding $6 million by Monday’s deadline of 5 p.m., CNN affiliate KGUN reported, citing a ransom note the station received. The note includes a threat to Guthrie’s life if the deadline isn’t met, according to KGUN.
• Officials continue investigating second note sent Friday: Authorities say they’re still looking into the authenticity of a second note sent to CNN affiliate KOLD on Friday about Guthrie. The note, which mentioned no deadline, included sensitive information, according to a KOLD anchor.
Security to remain on guard at Nancy Guthrie's home, Pima County officials say
At the request of Nancy Guthrie’s family, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department will continue to guard the 84-year-old’s home as the search for her enters its eighth day, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s department said in a statement Sunday.
“No trespassing is allowed on Nancy Guthrie’s property,” the statement said. “Violations will be subject to enforcement.”
At least two investigators from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department were seen on Guthrie’s property Sunday afternoon.
Investigators likely ramping up their efforts in search for Nancy Guthrie, former SWAT captain says
Investigators are likely ramping up their efforts in the search for missing 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, as the deadline in a purported ransom note draws closer, former SWAT team captain Josh Schirard said Sunday.
“If this is real, they’re on the clock, and that clock is ticking short, so anything that they can do has to be done and has to be done now,” Schirard said, noting investigators have returned to the homes of Nancy Guthrie as well as her daughter, Annie Guthrie.
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings released a video Saturday night saying they “will pay” for their mother’s release. Purported ransom notes have demanded millions in Bitcoin in exchange for her return.
“I think we still have no valid two-way communication with this possible hostage taker and the author of these ransom notes,” Schirard told CNN’s Fredricka Whitfield. “The family putting out these messages has been the only way that they’ve tried to communicate back in order to establish some form of authenticity, so that they can get a proof of life and know that Nancy is still okay.”
With one deadline from the ransom notes passed and another approaching on Monday, “both sides are probably getting a little desperate” to start communicating, he said.
“When we look historically, we generally don’t see deadlines that are this far out when we’re talking about dealing with hostage takers,” the former SWAT captain said.
Authorities have yet to authenticate the ransom notes.
“Now the video we saw last night from the family was very cryptic, but very directed to that ransom note author,” he said. “So there may be some things in that note that obviously law enforcement isn’t releasing that may be lending to its credibility and authenticity, and this was the response for that.”
Investigators returned to Nancy Guthrie’s home Sunday
Investigators returned to Nancy Guthrie’s home Sunday, eight days after she was last seen there, as authorities continue searching for the 84-year-old.
Two investigators with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department were seen on Guthrie’s property Sunday afternoon. The investigation continues with follow-up at multiple locations, the sheriff’s department said.
One investigator was seen holding a notepad while walking the property and heading to the backyard, which investigators focused on during a larger search Friday.
The road to the property, which was closed Friday, is now open.
"No question" FBI helped Guthrie's children with new statement, former deputy director says
Former FBI Deputy Director and CNN Senior Law Enforcement Analyst Andrew McCabe said there is “no question” in his mind that the agency helped the children of Nancy Guthrie craft their latest statement calling for their mother’s return.
Those experts likely include hostage negotiators and other “very experienced agents” who “have dealt with many, many kidnapping and ransom situations,” he continued.
In the video released yesterday, Savannah Guthrie said that her family “will pay” for her mother’s release. Purported ransom notes had demanded millions in Bitcoin for her return.
The FBI “will provide their best advice and consultation” regarding how to respond to those notes, McCabe said today.
At the same time, the bureau will acknowledge “that the ultimate decision of what to do — whether or not to pay the ransom — that is exclusively the family’s prerogative and they’ll support them any way they can,” he said.
Report: Ransom letter demands $6 million for Nancy Guthrie’s safe return
New details have emerged about the ransom demands for Nancy Guthrie’s safe return, with CNN affiliate KGUN reporting that the purported kidnapper or kidnappers have demanded $6 million and threatened Guthrie’s life if a 5 p.m. Monday deadline isn’t met, citing a ransom note sent to the station.
Purported ransom notes sent to KGUN and other media outlets demanded millions in Bitcoin in exchange for her return, CNN previously reported.
Nancy Guthrie’s children posted a new plea for their mother’s return on social media, with “Today” host Savannah Guthrie saying, “We will pay.”
Authorities have said the decision to pay any supposed ransom is up to the Guthrie family.
“We are in communication with the family and while we advise and recommend from a law enforcement perspective, any action taken on any ransom is ultimately decided by the family,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke told reporters last week.
Officials are investigating the authenticity of a second message sent to KOLD on Friday about Nancy Guthrie. The note included sensitive information and no deadline, according to an anchor at the outlet.
There are still no named suspects as the search for Nancy Guthrie enters its eighth day.
Prayer rock and candles left outside Nancy Guthrie's home overnight
Neighbors and community members continue to leave signs of encouragement outside Nancy Guthrie’s home in Tucson, as the search for the “Today” show anchor’s mother enters its eighth day.
The “Dear Guthrie Family” sign has been in front of the home for some time, but the candles and ‘please pray’ rock were left by a woman overnight, according to CNN’s team on the ground in Tucson.
Timeline: What's happened so far in the search for Nancy Guthrie
Nancy Guthrie was last seen by her family on January 31, when she joined relatives for dinner and game night near her home in the Tucson-area, Arizona.
As the search for the 84-year-old mother of “Today” host Savannah Guthrie enters its eighth day, here’s a look back at the events that have unfolded over this past week:
Saturday, January 31
- Guthrie takes an Uber to her daughter Annie’s home at around 5:32 p.m.
- Family members take her back home, with Guthrie’s garage door opening at approximately 9:48 p.m. and closing at 9:50 p.m.
Sunday, February 1
- At 1:47 a.m., a few hours after Guthrie is believed to have returned home, her doorbell camera is disconnected.
- At 2:12 a.m., surveillance camera software detects movement.
- Guthrie’s pacemaker app data shows it disconnected from her phone at 2:28 a.m.
- Relatives check on Guthrie at 11:56 a.m. after finding out she was uncharacteristically absent from church. They discover that she wasn’t home.
- Relatives call 911 at 12:03 p.m. to report her missing.
- Pima County Sheriff’s Department patrols arrive at her home by 12:15 p.m.
Tuesday, February 3
- Several media outlets, including TMZ and CNN affiliate KOLD-TV, receive purported ransom letters demanding millions of dollars in bitcoin for Guthrie’s return. One note includes a first deadline of 5:00 p.m. Thursday and a second deadline for next Monday.
Wednesday, February 4
- The Guthrie siblings post a video on Instagram with Savannah Guthrie saying they “need to know without a doubt that she’s alive and that you have her.” She emphasizes that her mother is in “constant pain” and needs her medication to survive.
Thursday, February 5
- The first deadline mentioned in the purported ransom note passes at 5:00 p.m.
- Savannah Guthrie’s brother Camron issues another plea on social media at 5:00 p.m. local time, the first deadline given in the ransom note. “We need you to reach out and we need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward,” he says in the video.
Friday, February 6
- KOLD receives a second note about Guthrie’s disappearance. Anchor Mary Coleman says the latest message included sensitive information and no deadline, unlike the first letter.
- Investigators resume searches at Guthrie’s home and in the surrounding area. A car which appeared to be Guthrie’s is towed away.
Saturday, February 7
- Guthrie’s children plead for their mother’s return in a video posted on social media. In the clip, Savannah Guthrie says: “We will pay.”
- Law enforcement officials are seen at Annie Guthrie’s home. They leave shortly after 10:30 p.m. with a bag. One deputy sheriff is also seen wearing blue latex gloves.
The search for Nancy Guthrie enters its 8th day. Here's what we know
As the search for Nancy Guthrie, missing from her home near Tucson, Arizona, has entered its eighth day, law enforcement officials were seen late Saturday at the home of her daughter Annie.
Hours earlier, Guthrie’s children posted a video pleading for her return.
The FBI continues to offer a $50,000 reward for information leading to her recovery, as the agency investigates two separate ransom notes sent to media outlets this week.
Here are the latest developments:
Law enforcement activity: At least three deputy sheriffs were seen at Annie Guthrie’s house Saturday night. While lights in the house appeared dim and shades were drawn, bright flashes –– possibly from authorities taking photographs –– were observed through the windows.
No suspects identified: The sheriff’s department said Saturday they have not identified any suspects, people of interest or vehicles connected to the case. Officials are seeking any video available from nearby businesses or residences.
New plea: Savannah Guthrie posted a video to her Instagram account Saturday, sitting alongside her sister Annie and brother Camron. “We received your message, and we understand,” the “Today” show host said. “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.”
Purported ransom notes: Two separate ransom notes were sent to media outlets this week. The first, sent to outlets including TMZ and CNN affiliate KOLD-TV, demanded millions of dollars in bitcoin for Guthrie’s return. The second message, sent to KOLD, included sensitive information, no deadline, and did not appear to ask for a ransom, according to anchor Mary Coleman.
Billboards to aid in search: Digital billboards featuring Guthrie and an FBI phone number are slated to appear in nearby states to aid in the search for her — utilizing a program that has been successful in previous cases.
