The mystery of the apparent abduction of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC Today‘s Aussie-born host, Savannah Guthrie, continues.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos updated the press with fresh information on the search for the 84-year-old, who went missing from her Arizona home five days ago.
The missing persons alert issued by police for Nancy Guthrie. Image: Pima County Sheriff’s Department
Updates on Savannah Guthrie’s missing mum
Sheriff Nanos said that a California man accused of sending fake ransom texts to Savannah Guthrie’s family has been arrested and charged, according to a criminal complaint filed Thursday, the New York Post reports.
Multiple ‘ransom notes’ have been received by police, TMZ, and the family.
Police revealed one of the ransom notes sent to local and national news outlets did not include a proof of life nor a way for law enforcement or her family to communicate with the senders.
They further shared that another ransom note set a deadline of 5 p.m. on Thursday, but that time is approaching, and there has been no further communication. There is also a “second demand” set for February 9, with the note promising “a more serious consequence.”
A $50,000 reward has been offered for any information that leads to Nancy’s recovery.
Left: Savannah Guthrie and her mum Nancy. Image: NBC. Right: The Guthrie family made an emotional plea in a video on Wednesday. Image: Instagram
Savannah Guthrie’s desperate plea
The press conference was held just hours after Nancy’s three adult children released a heartbreaking video pleading for proof that their mother is still alive. They also told her potential captors that they are “ready to talk.”
Savannah, sitting with her siblings Annie and Cameron Guthrie, said: “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.”