After her mother’s apparent kidnapping, US television presenter Savannah Guthrie once again sent a message to the perpetrator or perpetrators – and hinted at a possible ransom payment.
02/08/2026, 04:4602/08/2026, 04:47
In a short video message on Instagram, Guthrie said: “We are now begging you to give us back our mother so we can celebrate with her.” Framed by her two siblings, she went on to say that this was the only way the family could find peace.
“This is worth a lot to us. And we will pay.”
In the message, which was only around 20 seconds long, Guthrie also referred to a message that is said to have come from the alleged kidnappers. “We received your message and we understand.” What was meant by that remained unclear. The meaning of Guthrie’s statement that the family would “pay” was not further explained in the video message.
FBI offers reward
84-year-old Nancy Guthrie from Tucson, Arizona, has been missing for around a week. Since then, her three children have addressed the still unknown kidnapper or kidnappers on Instagram with three, sometimes emotional, video messages.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DUeZsDfkhFp/
The case is causing a nationwide stir in the USA. The US Federal Police FBI has offered a reward of $50,000 for information that leads to the discovery of Nancy Guthrie or the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Even President Donald Trump has intervened in the case and said on Wednesday that he had spoken to Guthrie and assured her of all support from the authorities.
A few days ago, the FBI said it was taking a suspected blackmail letter sent to the media seriously. The letter contained a demand for money and deadlines, it was said. Nothing is yet known about the motive behind the alleged kidnapping.
According to investigators, family members brought Nancy Guthrie home on the evening of January 31st. The following morning, the family noticed that she had disappeared. A trace of her blood was discovered in the entrance area of the house.
Nancy Guthrie’s daughter Savannah is best known as the presenter of the successful show “Today” on US breakfast television. (sda/dpa)