In a disturbing update on the ongoing disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, authorities have confirmed that the blood found on the front porch of Nancy’s Tucson home belongs to the 84-year-old woman.
This confirmation has led officials to treat the case as a kidnapping.
Nancy Guthrie has been missing for over five days, with her last known sighting on January 31, and the case has since escalated, drawing in multiple investigative agencies, including the FBI.
Blood Found at the Scene Raises Alarm
Sheriff Chris Nanos from the Pima County Sheriff's Department shared the grim details in a press conference on February 5, noting the presence of “very concerning” conditions at Nancy Guthrie’s home.
While the blood found on the porch has been identified as Nancy’s, authorities are still uncertain about who might be responsible for her disappearance.
No suspects or persons of interest have been named as of yet. Sheriff Nanos emphasized the family's distress, confirming that Nancy's health condition, compounded by her need for daily medication, makes her situation even more urgent.
FBI Joins Search with Ransom Notes and a $50,000 Reward
The FBI has now entered the investigation, revealing that ransom notes have been sent to several media outlets.
These notes have added a disturbing layer to the case, including demands for money and two separate deadlines for payment.
The first deadline was set for 5:00PM Thursday, with a second deadline looming on Monday, February 9, should the initial demand not be met.
Notably, one of the ransom notes referenced an Apple Watch and a floodlight, but FBI special agent Heith Janke confirmed there is “no proof of life” as of yet.
Savannah Guthrie, in a tearful message, urged those responsible to come forward: “We want to hear from you,” she said.
“We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her.” Janke also confirmed that while it is clear the family wants to make contact with the kidnappers, investigators are still unclear whether Nancy was specifically targeted.
FBI Profiler's Insights: Evidence and Theories on Nancy's Kidnapping
FBI profiler James Fitzgerald offered some chilling insights based on the evidence at the scene.
Speaking to Megyn Kelly, he emphasized that Nancy Guthrie likely didn’t leave her home willingly.
"I mean obviously Mrs. Guthrie didn't go of her own accord," Fitzgerald remarked, explaining the blood spatter found outside the house. "It looks like someone’s being carried out, or at least, supported under their arms."
Fitzgerald also provided further analysis, noting that the blood trail suggested Nancy may have been physically assisted or even carried from the scene.
“If someone punched her in the nose, punched her in the mouth, she’s going to need help walking or she has to be carried," he stated. “There’s going to be trace evidence if that, if Mrs. Guthrie was put in the car.”
He detailed how such evidence could indicate the vehicle she was transported in, pointing to the possibility of trace evidence like clothing fibers that could eventually tie the suspect to the crime.
While he couldn't confirm every detail, his assessment underscores the physical struggle that likely occurred during Nancy’s abduction.