Savannah Guthrie has issued a tearful plea to the public as the search for her missing mom, Nancy, takes yet another turn.
A ransom note connected to the disappearance of Nancy, the 84-year-old mother of the Today show host, reportedly stated that she died, according to CNN and other news organizations citing law enforcement sources. Nancy was abducted February 1 from her Arizona home as she slept, police have said.
Speaking about the latest developments Tuesday morning on Today, Savannah said: “I don’t have any comment on this story, and I’m not involved in our coverage. But I can’t pretend I’m not here.
“And so since I am, I just wanted to take the opportunity to ask people, really to beg people to come forward. Somebody knows something,” she continued.
“This is a new story today that is on your radar, but this is the life my sister lives, that I live, that my brother lives, that our extended families live, that our children live every day. And we are in agony.”
Savannah fought back tears as she continued: “We cannot be at peace.”
“So no matter how much I try to come out here every day and smile and find that joy — and I will, I promise I will — this is a moment to tell you that we need your help. We’re begging for your help.”
With the support of her Today co-hosts, Savannah — who returned to the NBC morning show in April following a leave of absence amid the search for Nancy — continued: “And I’m not going to miss that opportunity. And so please if you’re watching, no matter how small, the reward is there. You can tell us. It can be anonymous.
“Please do the right thing. For us. For our family. For our children. We love our mom and we’ll never stop looking for her. Never.”
The screen then flashed to show a photo of Nancy along with the FBI tip line number: 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Savannah’s teary plea comes on the heels of the report that one of the ransom notes related to her mother’s disappearance claimed she died. The note’s contents have not been publicly released, as authorities and media outlets involved in the case have agreed to withhold details that could interfere with efforts to verify future communications from anyone connected to the disappearance.
CNN reported that one note indicated Nancy’s death was not allegedly intentional and that she died shortly after she vanished from her Arizona home. Authorities have not publicly confirmed the note’s authenticity or provided details about the investigation.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department declined to comment on the reported contents of the note, while the FBI did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Investigators have said they believe Nancy was taken against her will after finding blood near the entrance of her home outside Tucson. The FBI later released surveillance footage showing a masked individual near the property around the time she disappeared.
The case has drawn a massive search effort involving law enforcement officers, volunteers and search teams who have combed desert areas surrounding Tucson and beyond. Despite the extensive efforts, Nancy has not been found.
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