A desperate 84-year-old mother of a famous TV morning show anchor has been missing for six days, leaving investigators baffled with no suspects and no leads in sight. The situation is both old-fashioned - a ransom note sounds almost quaint - and what might have once been a demand for cash at a drop-off in non-sequential bills is now a transfer of cryptocurrency.
Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie, was last seen on January 31st after dining with her daughter Annie and husband Tommaso Cioni. Her disappearance raises concerns that she may be in physical danger due to her pre-existing medical conditions. Authorities are searching for her, but the lack of a ransom payment or any other evidence is making it difficult to track down potential suspects.
The investigation has taken an unusual turn as three ransom notes were received by celebrity news site TMZ and two Tucson-area outlets, KOLD and KGUN. The notes include details about the crime scene, including an Apple Watch and a broken floodlight, and demand millions in Bitcoin for Nancy Guthrie's safe return. However, investigators are skeptical of the authenticity of the notes due to advancements in AI technology that can create realistic videos and images.
Savannah Guthrie has been desperately searching for her mother, posting a heartfelt appeal on Instagram where she described her mother as "funny, spunky, and clever" and urged her captors to provide proof of life without resorting to deepfakes. The TV anchor's efforts have garnered widespread attention, with US President Donald Trump offering his support and the federal government assuring all necessary resources would be made available to secure Nancy Guthrie's safe return.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities reviewing hundreds of potential leads, including a neighbor who reported seeing a white panel van in the area before Nancy Guthrie's disappearance. FBI profiler Bryanna Fox has weighed in on the case, saying that the ransom note and demands for Bitcoin make it difficult to determine whether it's genuine or fabricated.
As the search for Nancy Guthrie continues, the Guthrie family is holding onto hope that their mother will be found alive. The situation is a poignant reminder of the complexities and challenges posed by modern-day kidnappings, where technology has changed the way crimes are committed and investigated.
Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie, was last seen on January 31st after dining with her daughter Annie and husband Tommaso Cioni. Her disappearance raises concerns that she may be in physical danger due to her pre-existing medical conditions. Authorities are searching for her, but the lack of a ransom payment or any other evidence is making it difficult to track down potential suspects.
The investigation has taken an unusual turn as three ransom notes were received by celebrity news site TMZ and two Tucson-area outlets, KOLD and KGUN. The notes include details about the crime scene, including an Apple Watch and a broken floodlight, and demand millions in Bitcoin for Nancy Guthrie's safe return. However, investigators are skeptical of the authenticity of the notes due to advancements in AI technology that can create realistic videos and images.
Savannah Guthrie has been desperately searching for her mother, posting a heartfelt appeal on Instagram where she described her mother as "funny, spunky, and clever" and urged her captors to provide proof of life without resorting to deepfakes. The TV anchor's efforts have garnered widespread attention, with US President Donald Trump offering his support and the federal government assuring all necessary resources would be made available to secure Nancy Guthrie's safe return.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities reviewing hundreds of potential leads, including a neighbor who reported seeing a white panel van in the area before Nancy Guthrie's disappearance. FBI profiler Bryanna Fox has weighed in on the case, saying that the ransom note and demands for Bitcoin make it difficult to determine whether it's genuine or fabricated.
As the search for Nancy Guthrie continues, the Guthrie family is holding onto hope that their mother will be found alive. The situation is a poignant reminder of the complexities and challenges posed by modern-day kidnappings, where technology has changed the way crimes are committed and investigated.