Ransom notes under investigation in disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mom as no suspects identified: Live updates

Officials are not expected to hold a press conference today to provide updates on the search for Nancy Guthrie.

The next press conference is expected Thursday morning, “unless something breaks” sooner, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told reporters Tuesday.

Police are investigating reports of possible ransom notes sent to multiple news outlets demanding millions of dollars in Bitcoin for Nancy Guthrie’s return.

When asked about one of the notes that was sent to an Arizona news station, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said he has shown it to the Guthrie family.

Nanos said the note is like “any piece of evidence.”

“It’s like any piece of evidence. You give it to us, you give us a lead, we're going to look at every aspect of that lead,” he told CBS News.

Nanos previously said Tuesday his office is “aware” of reports about “possible ransom note(s),” and that investigators are “taking all tips and leads very seriously.”

New video has revealed a trail of blood leading from the front door of Nancy Guthrie’s Arizona home and a missing doorbell camera in the wake of the 84-year-old’s disappearance.

Nancy, mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, was last seen Saturday night. Authorities believe she was abducted from her home in the Catalina Foothills, outside Tucson, against her will.

NewsNation released video of dried droplets of blood on stone slabs outside her front door, leading away from the house. Law enforcement cleared the scene and released the property back to family Tuesday.

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Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has been the face of the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.

Nanos was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department website. He graduated from the University of Texas, El Paso, and his law enforcement career began at the El Paso Police Department in 1976.

Then, in 1984, he took on a new role as a corrections officer at the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. Nanos has held several roles at the agency since.

Nanos was elected sheriff in 2020. He oversees some 1,500 employees and 400 volunteers.

The national attention Nancy’s disappearance has drawn makes this case unlike any he’s worked before, Nanos told The New York Times. But his team remains focused on finding her.

“The reality is, it’s another crime,” he said. “We need to focus on the mission. We want to find Nancy, first and foremost. And we want to find her alive.”

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told NBC his team is holding on to the belief that Nancy Guthrie is still alive as the search stretches on for a fourth day.

“We have nothing else to go on but the belief that she is here, she’s present, she’s alive, and we want to save her,” Nanos said.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said Wednesday investigators “have not identified a suspect or person of interest in this case.”

“Detectives continue to speak with anyone who may have had contact with Mrs. Guthrie,” Nanos wrote in a statement.

“Detectives are working closely with the Guthrie family. While we appreciate the public’s concern, the sharing of unverified accusations or false information is irresponsible and does not assist the investigation,” he continued.

Laura Gargano, a Catalina Foothills Association board member, told The Independent that she began canvassing on Sunday night, after learning of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.

Nancy was last seen at her Catalina Foothills home on Saturday evening, police have said.

“I’ve been out walking, talking to other neighbors, asking them to check their surveillance cameras,” Gargano said.

“She’s well known in this community,” Gargano added. “We’re all hoping for some good news.”

She was joined by countless other neighbors, along with searchers using drones and dogs, well into the evening and most of Monday. But later that day, law enforcement pulled searchers back.

“We don’t see this as a search mission so much as it is a crime scene,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said.

NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Llamas called on the public to pray for and help Savannah Guthrie’s family as they search for her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie.

“Savannah has shared that it was her mother who taught her the power of prayer, the types of prayers that make you get on your knees and pray for God’s protection,” Llamas said during his broadcast Tuesday. “Savannah and her family need your prayers tonight. They also need your help.”