Sheriff says US TV host’s mother presumed to ‘still be out there’ alive
With a US$50,000 reward offer and Nancy Guthrie’s blood confirmed at the scene, authorities have not yet identified a suspect
Investigators in Arizona presume the kidnapped elderly mother of popular US television news host Savannah Guthrie is “still out there” and alive four days after she was abducted from her home, though no suspect has been identified, authorities said on Thursday.
Police and FBI officials said they had intensified their search for Nancy Guthrie, 84, calling in extra personnel and special forensic analysts, even as the first of two deadlines set in a ransom note came and went early Thursday evening.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on January 31 when she was dropped off at her residence near Tucson by family members after having dinner with them, and relatives reported her missing around noon the following day, according to authorities.
Because her mobility is extremely limited, she could not have left her home unassisted, leading investigators to conclude early on that she was the victim of a kidnapping.
Revealing new details from the investigation at a press conference on Thursday, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed reports that DNA tests determined that blood found on the porch steps at the front door to the home came from Guthrie.