Savannah Guthrie says family ‘will pay’ for kidnapped mother’s return in social media video

PHOENIX — A week after the kidnapping of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie posted a video acknowledging the demands of ransom notes.

“We received your message, and we understand,” Savannah Guthrie 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.”

 

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Guthrie was referencing a message that was sent to the Tucson-based television station KOLD on Friday afternoon, according to Kevin Smith, a spokesperson for the FBI office in Phoenix.

KOLD said it received an email related to the Guthrie case on social media that day but declined to share specific details about its contents as the FBI conducted its review.

The station was one of multiple press outlets that received alleged ransom letters during the week. At least one letter made monetary demands and established Thursday evening and the following Monday evening as deadlines.

In a news conference Thursday, law enforcement officials declined to affirm that the letters were credible but said all tips were being investigated seriously. They also said one letter referenced Nancy Guthrie’s Apple watch and a specific feature of her property.

The video released Saturday was the third this week that pleaded with potential kidnappers.

Authorities think she was taken against her will from her home just outside Tucson over last weekend. DNA tests showed blood on Guthrie’s front porch was a match to her, Pinal County Sheriff Chris Nanos said.

At least three media organizations reported receiving purported ransom notes, which they handed over to investigators. Authorities made an arrest after one ransom note turned out to be fake, the sheriff said.

It’s unclear if all of the notes were identical. Heith Janke, the FBI chief in Phoenix, said details included a demand for money with a Thursday evening deadline and a second deadline for Monday if the first one wasn’t met. At least one note mentioned a floodlight at Guthrie’s home and an Apple watch, Janke said.

Concern about Guthrie’s condition is growing because authorities say she needs daily medicine that’s vital to her health. She has a pacemaker, high blood pressure and heart issues, according to sheriff’s dispatcher audio on broadcastify.com.

The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information about Guthrie’s whereabouts.

The White House said President Donald Trump called and spoke with Savannah Guthrie on Wednesday. He posted on social media that he was directing federal authorities to help where they can.

On Friday night, he told reporters flying with him to his Florida estate on Air Force One that the investigation was going “very well” and investigators had some strong clues.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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