Nancy Guthrie disappearance: Day 23 latest updates

TUCSON, Ariz. – Monday marks Day 23 since Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, disappeared from her Tucson-area home. Investigators believe she was taken against her will.

What happened over the past few days?

Timeline:

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos reportedly told NBC News that there’s a snag with mixed DNA that was sent to a lab in Florida. He also said there are no names his team is currently looking into. 

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said detectives and agents are back in the Guthrie neighborhood canvassing as part of the investigation.

“Detectives and agents have collected multiple gloves from the area, and analysis is part of the investigation. Specific details about these pieces of evidence will not be shared publicly, as this remains an active investigation.

There may be fluctuations day to day based on investigative leads. Several hundred law enforcement personnel remain dedicated to this case. This will remain an active investigation until Nancy Guthrie is found or all leads are exhausted.”

All crime scene evidence and search warrant scenes have been submitted for analysis. “As with any biological evidence, there can be challenges separating DNA, etc.”

Regarding private search parties, they released the following statement:

“Volunteer search groups have inquired about being in the area. Per the Sheriff, they were asked to please give investigators the space they need to do their work. We appreciate their concern, and we all want to find Nancy, but this work is best left to professionals. PCSD has volunteer opportunities if they wish to get involved with the department. Private property laws apply. It is up to each individual property owner to grant permission for anyone to be on their property.”

Barricades were set up in front of Nancy Guthrie’s home on the morning of Feb. 21. 

The FBI says it has received more than 20,000 tips.

“Right now, our focus is on this investigation and serving the victims and this community. Internal or political commentary distracts from this active investigation, and it is very unfortunate. My focus remains on justice and transparency,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said. 

TMZ said they received a “highly sophisticated” ransom demand involving cryptocurrency.

“The email demands a dollar amount similar to the $6 million ransom demand in the previous email we received, days after the kidnapping. This email graphically describes the consequences if the ransom isn’t paid,” TMZ said.

TMZ said they forwarded the ransom demand to the FBI.

Investigators are also continuing to analyze biological evidence found at Nancy Guthrie’s residence. DNA profiles are currently under lab analysis, and the number of profiles remains part of their active investigation. 

88-CRIME received an anonymous donation of $100,000, increasing the reward to $102,500. This is in addition to the $100,000 FBI reward being offered. The FBI is not involved in the administration of any non-FBI rewards.

What they’re saying:

Savannah Guthrie issued a new plea on Instagram for the safe return of Nancy, speaking to “whoever has her.”

“I wanted to come on and… It’s been two weeks since our mom was taken, and I just wanted to come on and say that we still have hope and we still believe. And I wanted to say to whoever has her or knows where she is, that it’s never too late. And you’re not lost or alone. And it is never too late to do the right thing. And we are here. We believe. And we believe in the essential goodness of every human being. And it’s never too late.”

The backstory:

Guthrie went missing on the night of Jan. 31 and was reported missing on Feb. 1 when she didn’t show up for church. Since her disappearance, the FBI has released footage of her alleged abductor at her doorstep.

PCSD and the FBI are working on finding Guthrie by searching rural and rigid terrain around the Tucson area, where Guthrie and her daughter, Annie, live. The sheriff’s department is asking for anyone within a 2-mile radius of Guthrie’s Catalina Foothills home to submit any footage they may have from Jan. 1 to Feb. 2 that they “deem out of the ordinary or important.”

Nancy Guthrie: Investigators seek help with video

As crews continue to search for Nancy Guthrie, investigators are also asking people who live in the area to check their surveillance video for anything unusual. FOX 10’s Nicole Krasean has more, from Tucson.

What you can do:

The FBI continues to urge anyone with information to contact its hotline at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has also set up a tipline where the community can submit information. A new online form is available for tips.

Map of the area where Nancy Guthrie was last seen: