‘We will pay,’ US TV anchor Savannah Guthrie says in desperate video plea to mother’s kidnappers

Tucson (US): Savannah Guthrie has appealed directly to those believed to be behind her mother’s disappearance, saying her family is ready to pay for her safe return as the search enters its seventh day.

The “Today” show anchor made the plea in a video shared on social media on Saturday, standing alongside her siblings. Addressing the alleged kidnappers of her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, she 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.”

Guthrie was responding to a message sent to Tucson-based television station KOLD on Friday afternoon, according to Kevin Smith, spokesperson for the FBI’s Phoenix office. KOLD confirmed receiving an email linked to the case but declined to disclose its contents as the FBI continues its assessment.

The station was among several media outlets that received alleged ransom letters during the week. At least one of them demanded money and set deadlines for Thursday evening and the following Monday.

At a press briefing on Thursday, law enforcement officials said they could not yet verify the authenticity of the letters but stressed that all leads were being examined. One message reportedly included references to Nancy Guthrie’s Apple Watch and specific details about her property.

Saturday’s video marked the third public appeal by the family this week.

Investigators believe Nancy Guthrie was abducted from her home on the outskirts of Tucson last weekend. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said DNA testing confirmed that blood found on her front porch belonged to her. No suspects have been identified so far.

The sheriff also expressed frustration over the failure of a camera at the residence to capture footage on the day she vanished. Authorities said the doorbell camera had been disconnected early Sunday, and although movement was recorded shortly afterward, no images were retrievable because there was no active subscription.

“It is concerning, it’s actually almost disappointing, because you’ve got your hopes up,” Nanos told The Associated Press. “OK, they got an image. ‘Well, we do, but we don’t.’”

President Donald Trump said on Friday that the investigation was progressing positively. “We have some clues that I think are very strong,” he said while travelling aboard Air Force One. “We have some things that may be coming out reasonably soon.”

Authorities returned to the neighbourhood on Friday, restricting access to the road outside Guthrie’s home to allow investigators to work. Residents were informed that searches in the area were resuming, with a neighbourhood association urging cooperation with law enforcement.

Sheriff Nanos said efforts to recover camera data were continuing. “I wish technology was as easy as we believe it is, that here’s a picture, here’s your bad guy. But it’s not,” he said.

Meanwhile, concern has intensified over Nancy Guthrie’s health, as officials say she requires daily medication. Authorities have said she has a pacemaker and suffers from high blood pressure and heart-related conditions.

“Her conditions, I would imagine, are worsening day by day,” Nanos said. “She requires medication. And I have no way of knowing whether they’re getting that medication for her.”

The case has drawn nationwide attention, including from the president, who said federal agencies had been instructed to assist in the investigation.
AP