Arizona Authorities Confirm Blood Evidence in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance
Law enforcement officials in Arizona have confirmed that blood discovered at the home of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC's Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie, has been positively identified as belonging to the missing woman. The revelation came during a press conference held by Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, who detailed the ongoing investigation into what authorities are treating as an apparent kidnapping.
Investigation Details and FBI Involvement
Sheriff Nanos stated that while no suspect has yet been identified in the case, investigators believe Nancy Guthrie remains alive and are operating under that assumption until evidence suggests otherwise. The FBI has joined the investigation, with Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke announcing a substantial $50,000 reward for information leading to a breakthrough in the case.
Authorities revealed they are examining a ransom note that established an initial deadline of 5pm local time on Thursday for a response. However, Sheriff Nanos confirmed the note contained no instructions regarding how the family should communicate with the apparent abductors.
Critical Evidence and Timeline
The investigation has uncovered several crucial pieces of evidence:
- Blood found near the front door of Nancy Guthrie's Catalina Foothills residence has tested positive for her DNA
- Her pacemaker disconnected from its monitoring device at 2:28am on Sunday
- The doorbell camera had been removed, though software detected movement that could not be identified as human or animal
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on Saturday evening when family members dropped her off at her home around 9:30pm. Her absence was discovered the following morning when church members noticed she wasn't home and alerted her family. A missing person report was filed just after midday on Sunday.
Family's Emotional Appeal and Health Concerns
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings released a tearful video appeal on Wednesday night, expressing grave concerns about their mother's medical condition. They emphasized that Nancy Guthrie requires daily medication for survival and to manage chronic pain related to her fragile heart condition.
"She's 84 years old. Her health, her heart, is fragile. She lives in constant pain. She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive, and she needs it not to suffer," Savannah Guthrie stated in the emotional recording.
The family specifically requested proof that their mother remains alive, noting their readiness to communicate but expressing caution about potential manipulation of evidence in the digital age.
Community Support and National Attention
The case has drawn significant attention both locally and nationally. Community members in Catalina Foothills have organized prayer services and displays of support, while former President Donald Trump announced he had spoken with Savannah Guthrie and was deploying resources to assist in the search.
NBC has confirmed that Savannah Guthrie will be absent from her broadcasting duties, including her scheduled role as co-host of Friday's Winter Olympics opening ceremony, to remain with her family during this difficult time.
Additional Developments
In a separate development, Sheriff Nanos revealed that one individual has been arrested for sending a suspected fake ransom note, describing the person as an impostor attempting to interfere with the investigation.
The search effort has involved multiple agencies including border patrol agents and volunteers, with the home being declared a crime scene by Monday as investigators continue their work to locate Nancy Guthrie and identify those responsible for her disappearance.
