The search for television host Savannah Guthrie’s mother continued on Tuesday morning amid desperate family entreaties for her safe return.
The FBI still has yet to identify a suspect or person of interest. Nancy Guthrie remains missing, a day after the deadline set by a ransom note from her purported kidnappers.
The 84-year-old’s family said on Sunday that they would pay kidnappers to ensure she safely returns home. Authorities have not confirmed the veracity of this ransom demand.
Efforts to contact the kidnappers appear to have fallen short, however, with officials saying on Monday night that they were “not aware of any continued communication between the Guthrie family and suspected kidnappers, nor have we identified a suspect or person of interest in this case at this time”.
The FBI said the agency is sending more agents from field offices across the US to Guthrie’s home city of Tuscon, Arizona.
“We are currently operating a 24-hour command post that includes crisis management experts, analytic support, and investigative teams. But we still need the public’s help,” NBC News quoted the FBI as saying. “Someone has that one piece of information that can help us bring Nancy home. We need that person to share what they know. Please call us at 1-800-CALL-FBI.”
In a video posted on social media on Monday, the Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie urged anyone who knew anything to contact law enforcement. “We are at an hour of desperation,” she said. “And we need your help.”
Michael Rudzena, pastor of Good Shepherd New York and the Guthrie family’s pastor, described Nancy Guthrie as a “strong woman” and “fiercely loving”.
“Prayer opens up possibilities in our own hearts,” he told Today. “Leaving a door open for hope is a way to fight against that fatality.”
Authorities think Guthrie was abducted from her home on 31 January or early 1 February. They have not been able to verify the authenticity of a ransom note which was sent to local press and TMZ.
The Pima county sheriff’s department said on Monday that authorities had yet to ID “any suspects, persons of interest or vehicles connected to” her apparent kidnapping and “if any significant developments occur in the case, a press conference will be called.”
Authorities have noted roadblocks in tracking the assailant. Chris Nanos, the Pima county sheriff helming this investigation, said that somebody disconnected Nancy Guthrie’s smart doorbell when she disappeared. Because she wasn’t subscribed actively, however, they could not get images.
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