Law enforcement agencies in Arizona have escalated their search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, who vanished from her home near Tucson on 31 January. As the investigation enters its second week, authorities are now focusing on a specific vehicle or vehicles that may hold crucial clues to her whereabouts, with officials confirming they have accessed surveillance footage from a local convenience store as part of this line of inquiry.
New Developments in the Investigation
Police revealed on Friday that they received a tip regarding a vehicle of interest, prompting visits to a Circle K store where surveillance video was reviewed. A spokesperson for the chain confirmed cooperation with investigators, though authorities have not disclosed whether this vehicle is directly connected to Ms Guthrie's disappearance. This development comes alongside reports of a new message concerning the case, sent to Tucson television station KOLD, which the FBI and Pima County Sheriff's Department are actively assessing.
Ransom Demands and Family Appeals
Earlier in the week, local media received two messages apparently linked to the case, one demanding money for Ms Guthrie's return and containing specific details about her Apple watch and property floodlights. The FBI is working to determine if the latest message originates from the same sender as this initial ransom note. In response, Ms Guthrie's children have made emotional public appeals; Savannah Guthrie posted a tearful video pleading for her mother's safe return, while her son Cameron Guthrie urged the presumed kidnappers to communicate with the family via social media.
Growing Health Concerns
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos expressed increasing worry about Ms Guthrie's medical condition, noting she requires daily medication for heart-related issues, including a pacemaker, high blood pressure, and other cardiovascular problems. Sheriff Nanos stated, "Her conditions, I would imagine, are worsening day by day. She requires medication. And I have no way of knowing whether they're getting that medication to her," highlighting the urgency of the search.
Political and Federal Involvement
The case has drawn attention at the highest levels, with US President Donald Trump commenting from Air Force One that the investigation is progressing "very well" and that strong clues may lead to developments soon. US Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed federal authorities are assisting Arizona officials, describing the situation as heartbreaking for the Guthrie family. The FBI continues to work with local law enforcement to verify the authenticity of the messages and pursue all leads in this perplexing disappearance that has stunned the local community.
