NBC Anchor Pays Ransom, Demands Release in Kidnapping Video

NBC News anchor Savannah Guthrie (middle) and her family called out the suspected kidnappers through social media[Video screenshot]

Savannah Guthrie, host of NBC News’ “Today” show, addressed the suspected kidnapper of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, in a video on Saturday, saying her family was willing to pay a ransom in exchange for her safe return. As of Sunday, the emergency search for the 84-year-old Arizona resident entered its eighth day, but law enforcement officials still had not identified any suspects.

“We heard from you and we understand what you mean,” Guthrie said in a video posted on social media. “We are begging you now to return our mother to us so that we can be reunited with her. This is the only way we can have peace of mind. She is incredibly precious to us and we are willing to pay.”

On Friday afternoon, a local television station in Tucson, Arizona, received a message from a suspected kidnapper demanding ransom. The kidnappers are demanding a ransom of $6 million by a deadline of 5 p.m. next Monday. The letter also threatened that Nancy Guthrie’s life would be in danger if the ransom was not paid before the deadline.

According to law enforcement officials, many media outlets have received blackmail messages from suspected kidnappers since this week. Law enforcement declined to confirm the authenticity of the messages, but police said one of the letters mentioned Nancy Guthrie’s Apple Watch and a specific feature on her property.

Investigators believe Nancy Guthrie was taken from her home outside Tucson over the weekend. DNA testing showed that bloodstains found on her front porch matched Nancy Guthrie herself. At present, police have not identified any suspects and have not ruled out any possibilities.

The investigation also found that the doorbell camera was disconnected in the early hours of last Sunday, and software data showed activity around the house within minutes. But because Nancy Guthrie did not subscribe to the service, none of the images could be restored.

The kidnapping case has attracted great attention across the United States, and President Trump has previously said that he has directed federal law enforcement agencies to assist in the investigation.