FBI: $50k reward issued for information leading to location of missing news anchor's mother

TUSCON, Ariz.—The Pima County Sheriff Department and the FBI held a news conference, providing updates and issuing a $50,000 reward for locating Nancy Guthrie, mother of “Today” show anchor Savannah Guthrie, who was reported missing on Jan. 31.

During the conference on Thursday, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos provided an opening statement, saying he believes Guthrie is still alive. 

Nanos called the Pima Regional Critical Incident Team, which consists of law enforcement agencies throughout Arizona, to assist in search efforts for the missing 84-year-old woman.

Guthrie, who was last seen on Saturday, is said to have been forcibly taken from her home in Tucson, Arizona, over the weekend, according to investigators.

The urgency of this case goes beyond her disappearance, as the 84-year-old could die without her medication, Nanos urges. 

Nanos has declined to describe the evidence or say whether Guthrie’s disappearance was random or targeted. As of Thursday, investigators had not identified a suspect or person of interest.

Efforts to rush DNA testing resulted in the confirmation that the blood found at the crime scene did belong to Guthrie.

Nanos provided an approximate timeline of the events leading up to Guthrie’s disappearance.

The sheriff then passed the investigation to the FBI Arizona field office. Agent Heith Janke then took to the podium, where he announced a $50,000 reward for the location of Nancy Guthrie and or any information that could lead to a possible suspect(s) involved in her disappearance.

Janke stated that the FBI is aware of a ransom note sent to the Guthrie family and is following proper procedures in regard to the letter. Ultimately, the decision on how to proceed with the ransom letter is left to the Guthrie family.

Imposter ransom notes will not be tolerated by the FBI, as Janke said an arrest has been made in connection with a false ransom letter. 

The Arizona FBI branch has called for further assistance, including the Quantico branch. Agents are combing through online sources that may provide leads for this investigation.

Janke and Nanos urged the public to provide any information that may aid this investigation, regardless of how much or how little is provided. 

Watch the entire conference above.