The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, has taken a grim turn after authorities confirmed that blood found on the front porch of her home matches her DNA and a man has been charged over a fake ransom note.
Authorities are now speaking publicly about key evidence, alleged ransom notes and a growing reward, while her family continues to appeal directly to whoever may have her.
Police confirm blood found belongs to Nancy
At a press conference on Thursday (US time), Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said blood found on the exterior porch of Nancy’s Tucson home has been matched to her DNA. “We saw the importance of that blood. It came back to Nancy,” he told reporters, adding that it is currently the only DNA evidence collected in the case.
Nancy’s home has been declared a crime scene after what authorities previously described as “very concerning” conditions were discovered inside. Investigators believe she was taken against her will and have stressed she is without daily medication that “she needs to survive”, while also saying they “believe Nancy is still out there” and “we want her home”.
Nanos said no suspects or persons of interest have been identified, but that “every single lead is looked at” and “I wouldn’t say anybody is ruled out yet”.
Alleged ransom notes under review
The FBI is analysing several alleged ransom notes sent to outlets including local station KOLD News 13 and TMZ. FBI special agent in charge Heith Janke said the letters contained “no proof of life”, but included a dollar amount and two deadlines — one at 5pm Thursday, 5 February, and another on Monday, 9 February (US time).
“It’s clear the family wants to be contacted,” Janke noted, while saying it is still unclear whether Nancy’s apparent abduction was targeted.
A California man has now been charged with allegedly sending fake ransom texts to Nancy Guthrie’s family, with investigators accusing mid-forties suspect Derrick Callella of posing as someone connected to her disappearance and asking whether they had “got the bitcoin” as he waited “on our end for the transaction”.
Callella later confessed that he’d been watching coverage of the case on TV, pulled the family’s contact details from a website and “was trying to see if the family would respond”, according to a federal complaint.
Savannah Guthrie’s plea and FBI reward
On Wednesday Savannah and her siblings, Camron and Annie, shared an emotional video appeal on Instagram. “We, too, have heard the reports about a ransom letter in the media,” Savannah said.
“As a family, we are doing everything that we can. 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. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please, reach out to us.”
She described their mum as “our heart and our home”, adding: “She is 84 years old. Her health, her heart is fragile. She lives in constant pain. She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive. She needs it not to suffer.”
The FBI has now offered a reward of up to $50,000 (AUD $72,000) for information leading to Nancy’s recovery or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department or the FBI tip line, and have warned that sharing unverified claims online “does not assist the investigation”.
Lead image: Instagram / Getty
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