It has been more than five months since Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today Show host Savannah Guthrie, disappeared from her home in Catalina Foothills, Arizona. Her whereabouts remain unknown, and the case continues to be investigated as a kidnapping for ransom, according to the FBI.
FBI backtrack on ransom notes
Earlier this week, an FBI official speaking on condition of anonymity told Reuters that federal investigators had deemed three widely reported communications fake. 'None of the ransom notes are believed to be genuine,' the official said. However, hours later, the FBI appeared to backtrack, confirming that some ransom demands are still considered 'potentially legitimate.' The bureau stated: 'This case continues to be investigated as a kidnapping for ransom case.'
The original Reuters report also noted that investigators determined the first two ransom notes came from the same sender, though no details were provided on how that conclusion was reached.
Timeline of the kidnapping
Nancy Guthrie is believed to have been taken against her will from her home in the wealthy Catalina Foothills area near Tucson. Doorbell footage released by the FBI from the early hours of February 1 shows a masked individual carrying a backpack approaching her porch. The next morning, Nancy failed to show up at a friend's house for church. Her family was alerted, and she was reported missing shortly after. She was last seen by a family member the evening before, after having dinner together. They dropped her off at her house around 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, February 1, and watched to ensure she entered safely.
Motive and investigation
Aside from the initial ransom note demanding millions in bitcoin—which the FBI official told Reuters was not credible—the motive for the abduction remains unclear. In March, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, who is leading the investigation, told NBC News: 'We believe that it was targeted, but we're not 100% sure of that.' During an emotional conversation with Today's Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie recalled asking her brother, 'Do you think it's because of me?' He replied, 'Well, I'm sorry sweetie, but yeah, maybe.'
Arrests and detentions
In February, a man was taken into custody and later released, claiming he was not asked any questions. Another man, Luke Daley, told True Crime Arizona host Briana Whitney that he was detained in February and had 'nothing to do with this case.' His attorney confirmed to People that Daley and his mother were held for four hours while search warrants were executed on their property, then released without charges.
Derrick Callella, 42, was arrested on February 5, days after Nancy's disappearance, for sending fake ransom demands. On July 2, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona announced that Callella pleaded guilty to two counts of harassment using a telecommunication device. Formal sentencing is set for September 10.
Contents of the ransom notes
Contrary to some reports, NBC stated there was no apology or request for payment for Nancy's body in the second widely reported ransom note, which horrifyingly announced her death. Airmail described it as containing a 'sputtering and laboured apology' and suggested that her body could be delivered for a sum of money. The first note, according to NBC, requested cryptocurrency for her release and claimed she was safe.
CBS reported that investigators said the first note included specific details about Nancy's home, such as a broken back porch light and an Apple Watch with a white strap on her bedroom floor. CBS also stated that authorities believe both notes were likely sent by the same group or person who abducted her, possibly from the same computer IP address.
The third correspondence, referenced by Reuters, is an email sent to TMZ claiming knowledge of the kidnappers' identities and possession of a video of the 'main guy' and Nancy on the day she died. TMZ reported that the sender has been in touch since February.
What happens next?
The Pima County Sheriff's Department told Metro on June 23: 'The investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie remains active and ongoing. The Pima County Sheriff's Department continues to work closely with the FBI as investigators follow up on leads, review information, and pursue the facts surrounding this case.' The FBI declined to comment in a statement sent to Metro around the same time.
President Donald Trump, who in February said he would direct the Justice Department to seek the death penalty for those responsible, later told the media: 'I hope they find her. I mean, Savannah's gone through a rough — that family's gone through hell. I hope they find her.'
