US news anchor Savannah Guthrie has made a public plea to have her mother returned to her.
Guthrie has posted a video message tearfully pleading for the return of her abducted mother and seeking proof from her captors that the 84-year-old is still alive.
“We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen,” the NBC host says, flanked by her siblings in the clip posted to Instagram. “Please reach out to us.”
Nancy Guthrie went missing in the middle of the night from her home in the US state of Arizona over the weekend.
“We are ready to talk,” said the NBC host in the video posted on Wednesday night. “However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated.
“We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her.”
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Authorities said they suspect she was kidnapped and they are working with the FBI to authenticate a possible ransom note.
“Mommy, if you are hearing this, you are a strong woman,” the Today show presenter said, her voice breaking.
“Everyone is looking for you, mommy. Everywhere. We will not rest. Your children will not rest until we are together again.”
Officials have warned Nancy Guthrie could be in dire health without her medication, which Savannah Guthrie mentioned in the clip.
“Our mom is our heart and our home,” she said. “Her health, her heart is fragile. She lives in constant pain.
“She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive. She needs it not to suffer.”
Her sister, Annie, said the “light is missing from our lives”.
“Momma,” she said, “if you are listening we need you to come home. We miss you.”
Who is Savannah Guthrie?
Savannah Guthrie is an American broadcast journalist, attorney, and author best known as a co-anchor of NBC News’ Today show. She joined NBC News in 2007 as a legal analyst, drawing on her background as a lawyer, and later served as a White House correspondent and chief legal correspondent.
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In 2012, she became a co-anchor of Today, where she is known for coverage of major political, legal, and cultural events.
Born in Melbourne, Australia, and raised in the United States, Guthrie earned a degree in journalism from the University of Arizona and a law degree from Georgetown University.
Beyond television news, she is also a successful children’s book author, co-writing the popular Princesses Wear Pants series. Guthrie is known for combining legal expertise with accessible, conversational journalism.
When a person is abducted, the FBI’s primary goal is to locate the individual and secure their safe recovery. In kidnapping cases that meet federal criteria, the Bureau works with local and state law enforcement to investigate, collect evidence, and identify those responsible.
Depending on the circumstances, the FBI may become directly involved if there is interstate activity, a federal crime, or a request for assistance.
Investigators use interviews, digital forensics, surveillance analysis, and intelligence gathering to track the victim’s whereabouts. In some situations, the FBI may use trained negotiators to manage communication, while prioritizing the victim’s safety. Victim Services specialists support families throughout the process.
In international cases, the FBI may coordinate with the U.S. State Department and foreign authorities. While outcomes vary, the Bureau’s objectives remain recovery of the victim and accountability for the perpetrators.