The first deadline for one of the ransom notes in the case of Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother Nancy has passed.
Authorities held a press conference Thursday to confirm that Nancy’s alleged captors had requested “transfer” by 5 p.m. (7 p.m. ET) on February 5.
After 5 p.m., Savannah’s brother Kamron issued a new plea on social media for his mother’s return.
“In order for us to move forward, we need you to contact us and we need a way to communicate with you,” he said directly to the camera, “but first we have to know that you have a mother. We want to talk to you and are waiting to hear from you.”
FBI Phoenix Special Agent Heiss Janke told reporters that the memo also specified a second deadline of next Monday, but did not specify what the request was.
“If the transfer does not take place, the second request will be made next Monday,” he said. “I have no intention of going beyond that.”
The federal official added: “We will not go into details.”
“As with any lead, we take this incident seriously. We are in contact with the family,” he said. “While we advise and recommend from a law enforcement perspective, the action on ransom is ultimately determined by the family.”
Earlier this week, ransom notes demanding millions of dollars in Bitcoin were sent to two separate news outlets.
The letter sent to TMZ threatened to pay an amount to a specific address “or else”.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office subsequently released a statement confirming that it was “aware of reports circulating regarding a possible ransom note in connection with the Nancy Guthrie investigation.”
As of Thursday afternoon, authorities had not identified any suspects or persons of interest. But investigators are “actively investigating all of them,” they said.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos also shared a breakdown of the timeline leading up to Nancy’s disappearance.
Nancy, 84, was last seen alive on Saturday, January 31st, when her family dropped her off at her home in the Tucson area. The next morning, her family reported her missing, and police immediately launched a search and rescue operation.
Mr. Nanos confirmed that a DNA test quickly determined that bloodstains left outside Nancy’s house after her disappearance belonged to Nancy.
A $50,000 reward is being offered to anyone with information that could lead to Nancy’s recovery.
Savannah and her two siblings, Annie Guthrie and Camron Guthrie, released a heartbreaking video on Wednesday pleading for their mother’s release.
“Mom, everyone is looking for you everywhere. We will not rest. Your children will not rest until we are together again,” Savannah began to cry. “We speak to you in every moment and pray without ceasing.”
Through video, Nancy’s children spoke directly to their mother’s alleged arrester and asked for proof that their mother was alive.
“We have heard reports in the media about the ransom letter. As a family, we are doing everything we can. We are ready to talk,” Savannah said.
“But we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We definitely need to know that she’s alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you and we’re ready to hear from you,” she explained.
FBI agents were spotted holding a two-hour meeting at Annie’s home this week, during which it is believed the Today show host was also present.
