No suspects have been identified in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “Today” anchor Savannah Guthrie, since she went missing from her home in Tucson, Ariz., early Sunday morning.
Nancy, 84, was last seen alive the night before by her daughter Annie. Her family said she was “sharp as a tack” and had no cognitive impairments.
“We have nothing else to go on but the belief that she is here,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said in an interview that aired Wednesday on “Today.”
“She’s present. She’s alive, and we want to save her,” he added.
Police have asked for any leads that might help them locate Guthrie, such as alleged ransom notes that were sent to three media outlets, including TMZ.
“When the note comes to us, it’s like any piece of evidence,” Nanos told CBS News. “You give it to us. You give us a lead. We’re going to look at every aspect of that lead and work it as a lead.”
Cops have not confirmed the legitimacy of the ransom notes. The one sent to TMZ demanded millions in Bitcoin, and the outlet reported the Bitcoin address was real.
Authorities have obtained very little information about Guthrie’s whereabouts. After having dinner with her daughter on Saturday night, she was reported missing after not attending church the next morning.
When officers arrived at her house, they found evidence of a crime, including blood inside the residence and signs of a forced entry. What appeared to be a blood trail could be seen on the front steps of the home.
“I believe she was abducted,” Nanos said Monday afternoon. “She didn’t walk from there. She didn’t go willingly.”
Though Guthrie does not have any mental difficulties, she does have physical limitations including high blood pressure and cardiac issues, according to an initial 911 call. She reportedly uses a pacemaker and takes daily medications. Nanos said Guthrie is “very limited in her mobility.”
Her pacemaker last sent a signal to her cellphone — which was found in the residence — around 2 a.m. Sunday, sources told CNN.
Savannah Guthrie will not join NBC’s coverage of the Olympics as the search for her mother continues. She had been scheduled to host coverage of the Opening Ceremony on Friday night.
“Thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant,” Guthrie posted on Instagram. “Raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment. Bring her home.”
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