US journalist Savannah Guthrie is the co-host of the NBC News morning show "Today"

US journalist Savannah Guthrie is the co-host of the NBC News morning show "Today"

US news anchor Savannah Guthrie tearfully pleaded with kidnappers to share proof that her 84-year-old mother was still alive in a video posted to her social media Wednesday night.

"We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her," Guthrie said, after noting that "voices and images are easily manipulated." 

Flanked by family members, the 54-year-old NBC News co-host of the morning program "Today" addressed kidnappers directly, weeping.

"We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen."

Police in Arizona said Monday they believed Nancy Guthrie was kidnapped from her home in Pima County after she went missing Sunday under suspicious circumstances.

"She did not leave on her own, we know that," Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told a press conference Monday, describing the home as a "crime scene."

Nanos said in a statement posted to X on Wednesday that "investigators have not identified a suspect or person of interest" in the case.

- 'Where is Nancy?' -

In his post, Nanos said detectives "continue to speak with anyone who may have had contact with Mrs. Guthrie."

"We're working towards, where is Nancy? Where is Ms. Guthrie? We want to find her," Nanos told CBS News on Wednesday. 

US President Donald Trump said on his Truth Social platform Wednesday he had spoken to Savannah Guthrie "and let her know that I am directing ALL Federal Law Enforcement to be at the family's, and Local Law Enforcement's, complete disposal, IMMEDIATELY." 

"We are deploying all resources to get her mother home safely," Trump added.

In the video she posted, Guthrie described her mother's fragile heart and health, saying "she lives in constant pain. She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive, and she needs it not to suffer."

The news anchor confirmed that she had heard media reports of a ransom letter and said her family was working to do "everything that we can." 

She also addressed her missing mother directly.

"Mommy, if you are hearing this, you are a strong woman. You are God's precious daughter, Nancy," Savannah Guthrie said. 

Nancy Guthrie was reported missing after she didn't show up to her regular Sunday church service, the New York Times reported.

des-sla/jgc/cms/lga

Originally published on doc.afp.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.

(0) comments

Welcome to the discussion.

Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.