Law enforcement is operating on the “belief” that Savannah Guthrie’s missing mom, Nancy Guthrie, is still alive as the search enters its fourth day.
“We have nothing else to go on but the belief that she is here. She’s present, she’s alive. We want to save her,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told NBC Wednesday.
“The leads we got coming in are critical to us,” he continued. “They’re valuable and we’re sharing those with the FBI and others.”
After the 84-year-old was reported missing on Sunday, police have refused to rule out any motives behind her disappearance, including the existence of a “possible ransom note,” which has been sent to multiple outlets.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department released a statement Tuesday saying they are “aware of reports circulating about a possible ransom note(s) regarding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie.”
“We are taking all tips and leads very seriously,” the statement continued. “Anything that comes in goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI.”
Nancy was last seen on Saturday around 9:30 p.m. local time, following a family dinner with her other daughter, Annie Guthrie, and the latter’s husband, Tommaso Cioni.
Her family alerted authorities after the matriarch failed to appear at church Sunday morning.
Heartbreaking findings from Nancy’s home — which they are treating as a crime scene — have been reported, including an apparent blood trail outside the door.
Since her mother’s disappearance, Savannah has reportedly been “leaning on” her family members.
On Monday, Nanos told Us Weekly that Nancy’s absence has been “tough on” the “Today” show anchor, 54, and her siblings.
“They’re very cooperative with us and everything we’re doing,” he noted.
Nancy’s disappearance has also left Savannah’s fellow “Today” anchors “rattled” and “shaken.”
The show’s bosses have reportedly taken drastic measures to protect their NBC staff, with multiple sources telling the US Sun that the network has decided to ramp up security and police presence at its New York City studio out of an “abundance of caution.”
“Things are tense at the studio, and as a result, NBC has stepped up security for on-air talent,” a source told the outlet.
