As the investigation enters its fourth day, law enforcement is operating on the “belief” that Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother, Nancy Guthrie, is still alive.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told NBC on Wednesday, “There’s nothing to do but trust that she’s here. She exists and she’s alive. We want to save her.”
“The leads we get are very important to us,” he continued. “These are valuable and we share them with the FBI and others.”
Since the 84-year-old woman was reported missing on Sunday, police have refused to rule out a motive behind her disappearance, including the existence of a “possible ransom note” sent to multiple media outlets.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office released a statement Tuesday saying it was “aware of reports circulating of a possible ransom note in connection with the Nancy Guthrie investigation.”
“We take all tips and leads very seriously,” the statement continued. “Everything that comes in goes directly to detectives working with the FBI.”
Nancy was last seen around 9:30pm local time on Saturday, after having a family dinner with her other daughter, Annie Guthrie, and her husband, Tommaso Cioni.
When the patriarch failed to show up to church on Sunday morning, the family called authorities.
Heartbreaking discoveries have been made at Nancy’s home, which investigators are treating as a crime scene, including visible blood stains on the outside of the door.
Savannah has reportedly been “reliant” on her family since her mother disappeared.
On Monday, Nanos told Us Weekly that Nancy’s absence was “difficult” for the Today show anchor, 54, and her siblings.
“They’ve been very supportive of us and everything we’re doing,” he said.
Nancy’s disappearance also left Savannah’s fellow Today anchors “disturbed” and “disturbed.”
Program leaders have reportedly taken drastic measures to protect NBC staff, with multiple sources telling US Sun that NBC has decided to increase security and police presence at its New York City studios out of “an abundance of caution.”
“Things are tense in the studio, and as a result, NBC is increasing security for on-air talent,” a source told the station.
