Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother is ‘still out there,’ sheriff says

Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother is ‘still out there,’ sheriff says, but no suspects

Right now, We believe Nancy is still out there. We want our home Our, our department, the sheriff’s department, along with all of our partners at the FBI. I’ve been working around the clock. And, and, and we just want her home and get and, and find *** way to get to the bottom of all of this just as you do. But I have other partners out there who have stepped up, and you’ve probably noticed them in the last few days, if not the last few hours, and you’re gonna see more of that. I’ve made *** decision to contact our PCRIT team, and those of you not local, that’s our Pima Regional Critical Incident team. It’s made up of law enforcement officers from this entire valley, uh, Pascua Yaqui Police Department, Tucson Police Department, Miranana Police Department, Orwell Valley Police Department, uh, Pima College Police Department. This is Tucson International Police Department. Sarita police, so many of them, and they are going to help us tremendously, and that’s really done because we, we have so much in front of us still and we’re hoping that, you know, I know the FBI has committed *** very large number of men and women to partner with us, work side by side with us. We go do it. Interview they’re going to be there with us. We’re going to go look at some evidence or process evidence. They’re going to be right there with us. We’re sharing every piece of information, all the data we can to get this thing solved, and it’s important that my partners in law enforcement know and understand their roles because it is very large, complex investigation with *** lot of moving parts and and we’re at that phase now. We sometimes we’re, we’re, we’re, we’re, we’re waiting, right? We’re waiting for analysis, we’re waiting for lab reports, but even then when they come back quickly, for example, some DNA, uh, we rushed what we thought was the best target for DNA. We did *** rush through and, and got some of that back. The the results were minimal. I think you all know the, the, the, um, blood on the porch, that was one we did. It, it, it came back to Nancy. Um, that’s, that’s what we know, but there’s still more items that have been submitted. We just haven’t got them back yet. But in the meantime, we’re not just sitting on our haunches waiting. We do have *** number of leads coming in, and that’s why we brought in the FBI for one, but PRI as well to be able to get out there and and handle these leads as they come in as quickly and as expeditiously as we can, and every single lead is looked at. Every one of them. And so we’re, we’re, we’re gearing up. You probably have some questions about what you’ve seen in the last couple of days. I’ll gladly answer those at that time, uh, but it really is about getting our partners out there, to be fair, when we went to that scene the first night, Saturday night, uh, it was just us. Uh, since then, the FBI and others have asked, can we go and, and see it as well, and that’s what you’ve been seeing. But it is *** very important case to not just me and my team but this entire community, all of our law enforcement partners. Suspects I know there’s been *** lot out there. About suspects and I want to be very clear at this time we have not identified *** suspect or *** person of interest in this case we are working our best to do that but to be clear we have nobody of interest or any suspects that you would consider *** prime suspect. We’re just not there. We’re not there yet. The timeline, I think we’ve got it on the board, do we not? This is *** timeline that we have been able to develop with some of the things that we’ve had processed, uh, various pieces of, of, of electronics that we’ve gathered, um, and, and you, you look at some of this, and I know you’re gonna say, well, why did it take you so long to get this to us, Sheriff? Well, because one thing, it’s gotta go out and be processed at different lab sites, and sometimes that stuff comes back to us and like you we have questions and we say. Wait *** minute. What is this about? What, what about this? Could it be that? And so it’s sent back or it’s sent somewhere else. So, and that’s happening with all of the things we see that process, that review, and that questioning of all right, what is it we’re looking at? So I, I’ll go over it with you. You can see it on the board there, but at about 5:30, 2 p.m. these are approximate times. 5:32 p.m. Nancy travels to the, to her local family’s home for dinner and, and playing games with the family and just visiting. At 9:48 p.m., which is very consistent to what we were told by the family, that Nancy was dropped off at home, and we, we, we know that because we have *** garage door open at approximately, I can’t stress that enough, at approximately 9:48 p.m. At 9:50 p.m. that garage door closes. It is that time we assume that Nancy’s home and probably going to bed. Sunday morning, early morning at 1:47 a.m. Doorbell camera disconnects. At 2:12 a.m. software detects *** person on *** camera, but there’s no video available. They had no subscription and therefore it would rewrite itself, it just kind of loops right and covers up. That’s what our analysis teams have told us. We’re not done with that. We’ll do all we can, but That’s what it says. So that detects *** person on camera. Could that be an animal? I, I, I imagine that’s possible. We don’t know that. We, we just have no video, but we’re not giving up on that. 228. Nancy’s pacemaker app shows that it was *** disconnect from the phone. And at 11:56 a.m. Uh, the family checks on Nancy. Discovers her missing and at 12:03 p.m. 911 is called in to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. I believe it’s about approximately 10 minutes later, 12 minutes later, our patrol teams arrive. They see the scene and we start our response with our search and rescue teams and our detectives from homicide and various units. In fact, Every unit here, I think somebody questioned how come there’s an ICAC member out here or this member. Every, everybody in our criminal investigations team is *** part of this team and part of this investigative effort. Um, I think with that, Let me make sure. I want to clarify some things that I may have already done, but yeah, I’ve gone over with the blood at the front door, the doorbell camera, um, it, it, it was removed, we know that, but we’re not confirming that any cameras were smashed or destroyed around the house. I don’t know where that came from, but that’s something we’re not confirming. The car. Uh, the, the, the car that was at the home, uh, it’s just standard investigative practices. It’s part of the search warrant scene, court orders. We, we pull it out of there and do our scene processing with the vehicle. Uber. We did speak to *** driver because Nancy, we learned had been taken uh the Uber to the family residence, um, uh, the, the, the daughter for dinner and we located that driver and spoke with them and, and got that information. Uh, the Uh, you guys got this, I think, you’re conducting follow up, um, Uh, you, I think you said somebody had mentioned that they saw *** team out there again last night or yesterday and it was, that’s just again what I was talking about before. Our partners wanted *** chance to see it and, and, and examine things themselves, and more importantly, it, it’s just we, we’re constantly following up on things and go, hey, what about this, so we wanna go back and check on some things. I Oh, here’s the other thing. Someone had mentioned there was forced entry. I have no clue where that comes from. We have been very consistent. We are not discussing that at all, um, whether it’s forced entry and not forced entry. That is something we’re just not discussing, so I don’t know where anybody got that information. I think I am about done with my piece of this. I’m going to introduce, bring up here, uh, Kei Yanke, and, and I think you know. John Edwards is the assistant agent in charge with the FBI here at the Tucson office. Keith Yanke is the uh uh special agent in charge for the state of Arizona out of Phoenix, and he will come up and speak. Thank you, Sheriff. Hello, I’m Heath Yanke, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Phoenix division. First, I want to let the Guthrie family know that our hearts are heavy for them. After seeing your message last night, it is clear that you and your family are in pain. Please know that we are doing everything to bring your mother home. The FBI is now working this case jointly with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. And we’re going to start today by announcing *** $50,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of Nancy Guthrie and or the arrest. and conviction. Of anyone involved in her disappearance, and this will be the missing persons with the reward that will be going out. The FBI has agents, analysts, and professional staff employees working day and night with our partners at the sheriff’s department. We have deployed additional intelligence and agents from our Phoenix office. We have brought in our critical incident response group from Quantico, Virginia. Members from our cellular analysis survey team are here and they continue to collect and process digital information. We are actively reviewing and analyzing information from all digital sources, which includes banks, social media companies, phone companies, and any other organizations where *** digital footprint could have been captured. All this information provides data points and helps put the picture together. And we will be in the community continuing to conduct *** thorough investigation with our partners. You heard about us out there last night. We will be back out there today. I would ask the media, give our investigators the space to do their jobs while they’re out there. Next, regarding the ransom letter. We are aware of *** ransom letter that was sent to the local media and then to national outlets. As with every lead. We are taking it seriously. We are in communication with the family. And while we advise and recommend from *** law enforcement perspective, any action taken on any ransom is ultimately decided by the family. Thank you to those in the community that have called in tips. For anyone out there that may have information, no matter how small you think it may be, please report it. You can do so by calling 1-800-CAL-FBI or online at tips.fbi.gov. My next message is to those impostors who are trying to take advantage and profit from this situation. We will investigate and ensure you are held accountable for your actions. We have made one arrest related to an imposter ransom demand, and the complaint will be presented to *** magistrate judge later today. You will get more on that from the FBI and our US Attorney’s Office here in Arizona when it becomes available. To anyone that may be involved. Do the right thing. This is an 80 four-year-old grandma. This is an 84 year old grandma that needs vital medication for her well-being. You still have the time to do the right thing before this becomes *** worse, much worse scenario for you. Please return Nancy home. Thank you.

By SEJAL GOVINDARAO and JACQUES BILLEAUD Associated Press

Investigators believe the missing mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie is “still out there,” but they have not identified any suspects, a sheriff in Arizona said Thursday. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos also said DNA tests showed blood found on Nancy Guthrie’s porch came back a match to her.“Right now, we believe Nancy is still out there. We want her home,” Nanos said at a news conference five days after she was reported missing.There was no public sign early Thursday of a response to NBC “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s message to her 84-year-old mother’s kidnapper.Guthrie said her family is ready to talk but wants proof that Nancy Guthrie, who authorities believe was taken from her home in Arizona against her will, is still alive. Guthrie said in a heart-wrenching video posted on social media Wednesday that her family has heard media reports about a ransom letter.“We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated,” Savannah Guthrie said while reading from a prepared statement. “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.”The FBI on Thursday offered a $50,000 reward for information on the case.Nancy Guthrie approximate timelineJan. 315:32 p.m. local time: Nancy travels to local family’s home9:48 p.m.: Family drops Nancy off at home and garage door opens9:50 p.m.: Garage door closesFeb. 11:47 a.m.: Doorbell camera disconnects2:12 a.m.: Software detects person on camera (Authorities say no video is currently available because there was no subscription)2:28 a.m.: Pacemaker app shows disconnect from phone11:56 a.m.: Family checks on Nancy12:03 p.m.: 911 call made to Pima County Sheriff’s Department12:15 p.m.: Patrol arrivesThe search for Nancy GuthrieShe was last seen Saturday night when she was dropped off at her Tucson home by family after having dinner with them, the sheriff’s department said. She was reported missing about 14 hours later on Sunday after she didn’t show up at a church.Guthrie has limited mobility, and officials don’t believe she left on her own. A sheriff’s dispatcher said during the search Sunday that Guthrie has high blood pressure, a pacemaker and heart issues, according to audio from broadcastify.com.The neighborhood’s desert terrain can make looking for people difficult, said Jim Mason, longtime commander of a search-and-rescue team in Maricopa County that isn’t involved in the search. He said it can be hard to see into areas dense with mesquite trees, cholla cactus and desert brush.“Some of it is so thick you can’t drive through it,” Mason said.Purported ransom notesAt least three media organizations have reported receiving purported ransom notes that they handed over to investigators. The sheriff’s department has said it was taking the notes and other tips seriously but declined to comment further.Video above: Savannah Guthrie posts video statement asking for proof mom is aliveA note emailed Monday to the KOLD-TV newsroom in Tucson included information that only the abductor would know, anchor Mary Coleman told CNN. It also included a dollar amount and a deadline, she said.“When we saw some of those details, it was clear after a couple of sentences that this might not be a hoax,” she said in an interview aired Wednesday.The family posted their plea after police searched in and around Nancy Guthrie’s home for several hours Wednesday.Investigators returned for the follow-up investigation after being at the home earlier in the week for a couple of days, said Kevin Adger, a spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. He said the sheriff’s department was not commenting on the family’s video message.The Guthrie siblings’ message to their motherSavannah Guthrie was emotional during the recording, with her voice cracking. She addressed her mother directly, saying the family was praying for her and that people were looking for her.“Mommy, if you are hearing this, you are a strong woman. You are God’s precious daughter,” she said.Savannah Guthrie described her mother as a “kind, faithful, loyal, fiercely loving woman of goodness and light” and said she was funny, spunky and clever.“Talk to her and you’ll see,” she said.Guthrie was flanked by her sister Annie and her brother Camron.“Mamma, If you’re listening, we need you to come home. We miss you,” Annie Guthrie said.Nation prays for Nancy GuthriePresident Donald Trump posted on social media that he was directing federal authorities to help where they can, after the White House said he spoke with Savannah Guthrie on Wednesday.A couple hundred people prayed and placed lit candles on an altar during a vigil at a Tucson church.Jeremy Thacker had tears in his eyes as he described the heartbreak and helplessness. He worked with Savannah Guthrie at an Arizona news station. They shared losing their fathers at a young age, and his own sister was kidnapped when he was young.Thacker said he knew Nancy Guthrie to be sharp, grounded and earnest.“We’re all holding our breath,” Thacker said.

TUCSON, Ariz. —

Investigators believe the missing mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie is “still out there,” but they have not identified any suspects, a sheriff in Arizona said Thursday.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos also said DNA tests showed blood found on Nancy Guthrie’s porch came back a match to her.

“Right now, we believe Nancy is still out there. We want her home,” Nanos said at a news conference five days after she was reported missing.

There was no public sign early Thursday of a response to NBC “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s message to her 84-year-old mother’s kidnapper.

Guthrie said her family is ready to talk but wants proof that Nancy Guthrie, who authorities believe was taken from her home in Arizona against her will, is still alive. Guthrie said in a heart-wrenching video posted on social media Wednesday that her family has heard media reports about a ransom letter.

“We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated,” Savannah Guthrie said while reading from a prepared statement. “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.”

The FBI on Thursday offered a $50,000 reward for information on the case.

Nancy Guthrie approximate timelineJan. 315:32 p.m. local time: Nancy travels to local family’s home9:48 p.m.: Family drops Nancy off at home and garage door opens9:50 p.m.: Garage door closesFeb. 11:47 a.m.: Doorbell camera disconnects2:12 a.m.: Software detects person on camera (Authorities say no video is currently available because there was no subscription)2:28 a.m.: Pacemaker app shows disconnect from phone11:56 a.m.: Family checks on Nancy12:03 p.m.: 911 call made to Pima County Sheriff’s Department12:15 p.m.: Patrol arrivesThe search for Nancy Guthrie

She was last seen Saturday night when she was dropped off at her Tucson home by family after having dinner with them, the sheriff’s department said. She was reported missing about 14 hours later on Sunday after she didn’t show up at a church.

Guthrie has limited mobility, and officials don’t believe she left on her own. A sheriff’s dispatcher said during the search Sunday that Guthrie has high blood pressure, a pacemaker and heart issues, according to audio from broadcastify.com.

The neighborhood’s desert terrain can make looking for people difficult, said Jim Mason, longtime commander of a search-and-rescue team in Maricopa County that isn’t involved in the search. He said it can be hard to see into areas dense with mesquite trees, cholla cactus and desert brush.

“Some of it is so thick you can’t drive through it,” Mason said.

Purported ransom notes

At least three media organizations have reported receiving purported ransom notes that they handed over to investigators. The sheriff’s department has said it was taking the notes and other tips seriously but declined to comment further.

Video above: Savannah Guthrie posts video statement asking for proof mom is alive

A note emailed Monday to the KOLD-TV newsroom in Tucson included information that only the abductor would know, anchor Mary Coleman told CNN. It also included a dollar amount and a deadline, she said.

“When we saw some of those details, it was clear after a couple of sentences that this might not be a hoax,” she said in an interview aired Wednesday.

The family posted their plea after police searched in and around Nancy Guthrie’s home for several hours Wednesday.

Investigators returned for the follow-up investigation after being at the home earlier in the week for a couple of days, said Kevin Adger, a spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. He said the sheriff’s department was not commenting on the family’s video message.

The Guthrie siblings’ message to their mother

Savannah Guthrie was emotional during the recording, with her voice cracking. She addressed her mother directly, saying the family was praying for her and that people were looking for her.

“Mommy, if you are hearing this, you are a strong woman. You are God’s precious daughter,” she said.

Savannah Guthrie described her mother as a “kind, faithful, loyal, fiercely loving woman of goodness and light” and said she was funny, spunky and clever.

“Talk to her and you’ll see,” she said.

Guthrie was flanked by her sister Annie and her brother Camron.

“Mamma, If you’re listening, we need you to come home. We miss you,” Annie Guthrie said.

Nation prays for Nancy Guthrie

President Donald Trump posted on social media that he was directing federal authorities to help where they can, after the White House said he spoke with Savannah Guthrie on Wednesday.

A couple hundred people prayed and placed lit candles on an altar during a vigil at a Tucson church.

Jeremy Thacker had tears in his eyes as he described the heartbreak and helplessness. He worked with Savannah Guthrie at an Arizona news station. They shared losing their fathers at a young age, and his own sister was kidnapped when he was young.

Thacker said he knew Nancy Guthrie to be sharp, grounded and earnest.

“We’re all holding our breath,” Thacker said.