Savannah Guthrie is offering a $1 million reward for the safe return of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, who went missing for 24 days in a mysterious kidnapping.
Sources exclusively told Page Six that the family hopes the reward will “help stimulate and further encourage” input and information from “people who have been reluctant in the past.”
“The family first raised this matter on the first day of the investigation and have been ready to raise the matter ever since,” the source said, noting that the family had been advised to refrain from offering their own incentives until now.
“They were advised by everyone in the investigation community that doing the investigation too early could overwhelm their infrastructure to build in the field with tens of thousands of leads coming in organically.”
The official added, “This action was taken after careful consultation and in coordination with law enforcement agencies. The family continues to align with authorities regarding the search and investigation.”
Tracy Walder, a former CIA officer and FBI special agent, also told Page Six about the reward: “Their mindset is, we want our mother back. And they’re going to do everything they can.”
In a new video posted to Savannah’s Instagram account early Tuesday, she sadly said that given how much time has passed in the search, her mother may no longer be alive.
“She could have been gone by now,” she said through tears. “She may already be home with her beloved Lord, dancing with her mom and dad, her beloved brother Pierce, and our dad in heaven.”
But Walder said the comments did not mean the family had given up hope.
“They’re logical. All they want is their mother back,” the NewsNation contributor explained. “At this point, they’re acknowledging that getting her back could mean living with the dead. We have hope that we can get her back physically and be able to celebrate her life, or celebrate either her.”
Savannah commemorated the 24th day of her disappearance with a touching video posted on Tuesday.
“Hello, today is the 24th day since my mother was taken from my bed in the dark of night. Every hour, minute, second, and night since then, I have been worrying about her, fearing her, feeling pain, and most of all, missing her,” the “Today” anchor began.
“We know that millions of you are praying. So many people have been praying of all faiths and of no faith at all. We feel that prayer. Please continue to pray without ceasing. We still believe.”
She added, “We still believe in miracles. We still believe in her coming home. … We are breathing into the embers of hope.”
Savannah later revealed that she and her family are offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to Nancy’s recovery.
“Call the tip line at 1-800. You can remain anonymous if you wish,” she said. “Someone knows something that could bring her home. If someone does, we’re asking them to come forward now.”
Nancy was reported missing on February 1st and was last seen the night before. Investigators believe she was abducted while she was sleeping, and bloodstains that authorities confirmed were hers were found outside her front door.
A ransom note was sent to media outlets demanding the Guthrie family pay $6 million in Bitcoin by a deadline of Monday, February 9th at 5pm (Montana).
After the deadline, an FBI spokesperson said in a statement that the Guthrie family had no “ongoing communication” with the kidnappers.
On February 10, authorities released photos and video of a masked person wearing gloves and a backpack breaking into Guthrie’s home.
A number of people were questioned during the investigation when the photos and videos were released, but no one has been arrested or charged with kidnapping.
Authorities confirmed that the Guthrie family was acquitted. The investigation is still ongoing.
