Search for Nancy Guthrie Enters Ninth Day as Deadline Nears

The search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, the mother of "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie, continued into a ninth day Monday as investigators pursued leads in and around her Tucson-area home and reviewed ransom messages that purportedly demand money for her return.

Authorities have not publicly identified suspects or persons of interest. They have also cautioned that key elements circulating publicly, including ransom demands, require verification. The investigation has involved both local law enforcement and federal authorities, with public appeals from the Guthrie family continuing as the case draws widespread attention.

The Family’s Video Plea

Over the weekend, Savannah Guthrie appeared in a video alongside her siblings, Camron and Annie, urging whoever might have their mother to return her safely. In the message, the family indicated they were willing to pay for Nancy’s return.

“We beg you now to return our mother to us, so that we can celebrate with her,” Savannah Guthrie said in the video. “This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.”

NBC’s Tom Winter discussed the family’s messaging on “Today,” noting what he viewed as a shift from earlier appeals. “That video doesn’t talk about any sort of deadline,” Winter said. “There’s no longer any discussion of that. There is a discussion of bringing Nancy home to us so we can have celebration with her. There is no further request for proof of life.”

Winter also raised a central unanswered question about reported correspondence: “So when you look at this video, you say what was in the second [ransom] note? I have not personally seen it, but it does appear there has been a shift here, at least a shift in messaging."

Ransom Demand Reports

Reports circulating publicly describe ransom messages that include a demand for $6 million in bitcoin and a deadline said to fall Monday evening. Multiple outlets have reported that law enforcement has not confirmed the authenticity of the alleged ransom notes and has not confirmed that Nancy Guthrie is being held by kidnappers.

That uncertainty has shaped how officials and analysts are discussing the case. The existence of a reported bitcoin address and a reported deadline does not, on its own, establish who authored any message or whether it is tied to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. Investigators have indicated they are evaluating messages and leads for authenticity.

Forensic Activity at the Home

Investigative activity has continued around Nancy Guthrie’s home, with reporters documenting changes and new law enforcement presence in the neighborhood. One development that drew attention Monday was a report that a camera positioned to view the driveway was no longer in place.

Fox News Digital reporter Michael Ruiz wrote on social media, “I’m not sure when this camera overlooking Nancy Guthrie’s driveway was removed, but it’s not there right now.” He also posted an image of the location where the device had been.

The significance of the missing camera has not been publicly explained by authorities, and there is no official confirmation about who removed it, when it was removed, or whether it is connected to the investigation.

Why Investigators Searched a Septic Tank

Another widely discussed development came after investigators were observed examining a septic tank at the property. While agencies have not provided detailed public explanations of every search step, a former law enforcement official described why investigators sometimes examine septic systems in cases involving possible evidence disposal.

“A lot of people forget that having a septic tank means wastewater doesn’t go into a city sewer, it goes into the tank,” former SWAT team captain Josh Schirard told the Daily Mail. “So, somebody may have flushed something thinking that would get rid of it, but instead it would actually just be deposited in the septic tank.”

Schirard added, “It is a possibility that [investigators] are now trying to make sure that there’s nothing in there that could indicate any kind of guilt.”

Because authorities have not released a full accounting of what was sought or recovered, the public meaning of that search remains uncertain. What it does show is that investigators are exploring both traditional and less obvious avenues for physical evidence.

Outside Experts Question the Kidnapping Narrative

The case has also prompted skepticism from some former officials, particularly because public reporting has not established authenticated proof of life tied to the reported ransom demands. Former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker said he doubted key aspects of the prevailing narrative in comments aired on Fox News.

“I’m very skeptical of this,” Swecker said. “Is this really a kidnapping? Does somebody really have her, and is she really alive?”

Swecker pointed to the absence of what he described as credible authentication. “If this was a kidnapping, it would be a very simple matter to authenticate and provide proof of life,” he said, adding that no evidence had been “credibly authenticated at this point.”

He also questioned reported changes in the ransom amount. “Remember now, it was 1 million not too long ago. All of a sudden, it’s 6 million,” Swecker said. “I really think there’s a third party here that’s just playing with them, opportunists who think they can exploit this situation.”

Authorities have not publicly adopted Swecker’s theory and the case remains active.

Where the Case Stands Now

As the search moves through its ninth day, the picture remains incomplete. The family has publicly asked for Nancy Guthrie’s safe return and has indicated a willingness to meet demands, while law enforcement continues reviewing reported messages and conducting on-the-ground investigative work. At the same time, officials have not confirmed key claims circulating in public coverage, and outside experts have raised the possibility that opportunists could be attempting to exploit a high-profile situation.

Until investigators authenticate communications and establish a clear chain of evidence, much of what the public sees will remain a mix of confirmed developments and unverified claims. What is clear is that the family’s urgency is intensifying, and authorities are under pressure to produce answers quickly.

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