Guthrie family issues message to potential kidnappers: ‘We want to talk to you’

The Guthrie family released another video message, directed toward their mother’s potential kidnappers, urging them to reach out and prove they have Nancy Guthrie, as the 84-year-old woman’s whereabouts remain unknown days after she was kidnapped from her home in Arizona.

“Whoever is carrying our mother, we want to hear from you,” Camron Guthrie, brother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, said in an interview. Video message posted Thursday on behalf of the family. “We haven’t heard anything directly. We need you to communicate and we need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward.”

But first, Camron Guthrie continued, “We have to know that you have our mother.”

He concluded the brief message by saying: “We want to talk to you, and we are waiting for you communication.”

No suspect or person of interest has been identified in this case, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said during a news conference Thursday.

“At this time, we believe Nancy is still at large,” Nanos said. “We want her house.”

The sheriff said authorities are operating from the position that Nancy Guthrie is alive, and “we’re going to keep thinking that way until we find her.”

The FBI announced Thursday that it is now jointly investigating the case and is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.

The latest message comes on the heels of a video posted Wednesday in which Savannah Guthrie addressed reports of a ransom note sent to the media and spoke directly to her mother’s potential kidnappers.

“As a family, we are doing everything we can,” Savannah Guthrie said in the video, alongside her brother and sister. “We are ready to talk. 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.” “We want to hear from you and we are willing to listen. Please reach out to us.”

Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen at her home in the Catalina Foothills area, north of Tucson, on Saturday evening, according to the Pima County Police Department. He said she arrived home shortly before 10 p.m. after having dinner with her family. Authorities said her family reported her missing on Sunday at noon local time after she failed to go to church.

The new schedule has been revealed

Nanos on Thursday provided new details about the activity after Nancy Guthrie was last seen. At about 1:47 a.m. Sunday, the doorbell camera at her home went off and authorities no longer have it, he said.

At 2:12 a.m., the program detected a person on camera, but no video was available because there was no subscription, adding: “Could it be an animal? I imagine it’s possible. We don’t know that.”

At 2:28, her pacemaker app showed “the phone was disconnected,” he said.

Nanos confirmed that Nancy Guthrie’s blood was found on her porch. He did not confirm whether any cameras were broken or destroyed around the house, or whether there was any forced entry.

Nanos said Thursday that there is a possibility that her disappearance was “unrelated to a kidnapping,” and it is unclear whether Nancy Guthrie was targeted.

“We cover all angles. We will not ignore anything,” he said.

Ransom letters are taken very seriously; The alleged fraudster is arrested

The Sheriff’s Department said it is reviewing potential ransom notes as part of the investigation and whether they are legitimate.

Heath Jahnke, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Phoenix office, confirmed Thursday that one of the letters had been sent to several local and national media outlets. The letter made a cash demand by 5pm on Thursday, and if that was not met, a second demand would be made on Monday, according to the Yankee.

That message also included details about an Apple Watch and a smashed flashlight, according to Janke, who noted that these were details that would have been known to the public.

“But that’s why we take it seriously no matter what, and we follow the evidence on this matter,” he added.

Any action taken regarding the ransom is ultimately decided by the family, Janke said.

Janke said one person had been arrested in connection with a “fraudulent ransom demand.”

The suspect, Derek Calella, is accused of soliciting bitcoin from Guthrie family members, according to a federal complaint.

Calella allegedly sent a text message to both Nancy Guthrie’s daughter and son-in-law on Wednesday saying: “Did you get the bitcoin?” [sic] Waiting for a deal from our side,” according to the complaint.

The text messages were sent two days after a local Tucson media outlet received a ransom demand that included a Bitcoin wallet address to receive payment, according to the complaint. The complaint also noted that it was also sent shortly after Nancy Guthrie’s children posted a video online asking their mother’s kidnappers to contact them.

Calella allegedly used an app to create a fake phone number to text the family, and the account was traced to an associated email, according to the complaint.

He allegedly admitted to sending the text messages after being read his Miranda rights, according to the complaint.

“When he said he sent the text messages, he was trying to see if the family would respond,” the complaint said.

Calella is not connected to the Bitcoin ransom demand, according to the complaint, which accuses him of transmitting a ransom demand and intending to abuse, threaten or harass using a communications device.

Janke issued a warning after Calela’s arrest.

“To those scammers who are trying to take advantage of this situation and profit from it, we will investigate them and make sure they are held accountable for their actions,” Yankey said.

The FBI is jointly investigating the case

The FBI said Thursday it is now jointly investigating the case with the Pima County Police Department.

Sources told ABC News on Wednesday that the agency is sending additional agents and experts to Pima County to help bolster efforts on the ground and assist local investigators.

“We review and analyze information from all digital sources, including banks, social media companies, phone companies, and any other organizations where a digital fingerprint could be recorded,” Janke said. “All of this information provides data points and helps put the picture together.”

Nanos said earlier this week that investigators were waiting to obtain surveillance footage from the home’s security cameras from the companies that owned it.

A Google spokesperson confirmed to ABC News on Thursday that the company, which is behind Nest home security cameras, is assisting law enforcement in the investigation. The spokesman declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing investigation.

Savannah Guthrie and her siblings made an emotional plea for their mother’s return in a video message posted on social media on Wednesday.

“Everyone is looking for you, mom, everywhere,” Savannah Guthrie said. Video message. “We will not rest. Your children will not rest until we meet again.”

Nancy Guthrie is described as having some physical ailments and limited mobility, but she does not have cognitive issues, according to the sheriff. She is taking medication, which if she does not take it within 24 hours, “could be fatal,” Nanos said.

“Our mother is our heart and our home,” Savannah Guthrie said in the video. “She is 84 years old. Her health and heart are fragile. She lives in constant pain. She is without any medication. She needs it to stay alive. She needs it so that she does not suffer.”

Janke called on those involved in her disappearance to “do the right thing.”

“This is an 84-year-old grandmother who needs vital medicine for her well-being,” he said. “You still have time to do the right thing before this scenario becomes much worse for you. Please bring Nancy home.”

Anyone with information is urged to call 911 or the Pima County Police Department at 520-351-4900.