A shocking ransom demand in the case of Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother is drawing national attention — including from many Long Island viewers who wake up with the "Today" show every morning.
A television station in Tucson, Arizona, reported that people claiming to have abducted Guthrie’s mother, Nancy, are insisting on a $6 million payment in Bitcoin. The demand was described in ransom notes sent to multiple media outlets, according to KGUN9, an ABC affiliate in Tucson.
Reporter JJ McKinney said the station received one of the messages directly. In it, the alleged kidnappers instructed the Guthrie family to transfer $6 million in cryptocurrency by Monday, with a deadline of 5 p.m. local time.
The letter warned that Nancy Guthrie’s life is at risk if the payment is not made by the deadline, the station reported. Authorities have not confirmed the authenticity of the notes, but investigators are aware of them.
Savannah Guthrie, who has strong ties to viewers on Long Island through her longtime role on NBC’s "Today," appeared in an emotional social media video Saturday night with her brother, Camron, and sister, Annie. Speaking directly to the people behind the ransom messages, the siblings pleaded for their mother’s safe return.
Savannah said the family received the kidnappers’ communication and acknowledged their demands. She urged them to send Nancy home so the family can be reunited and celebrate together. In the video, Savannah stressed how much her mother means to them, saying her return is priceless to the family and vowing they are willing to pay for her safety and peace of mind. She added that having Nancy back is the only way the family will find peace.
Sunday marked eight days since the search began for Nancy Guthrie, whose disappearance has turned into a high-profile missing persons case watched closely from New York to Arizona. Long Island residents, many of whom feel a daily connection to Savannah as a morning news staple, have been following developments as if it involved one of their own neighbors.
Nancy was last seen on Jan. 31 after spending an evening at her daughter Annie’s home in Tucson, where they shared dinner and played games. She never returned to her normal routine, prompting family members to grow concerned.
She was officially reported missing around noon on Feb. 1, launching an intensive investigation by local law enforcement. Over the past week, authorities have carried out repeated searches in and around both Annie’s residence and Nancy’s home, each located in the Tucson area.
On Saturday, detectives and other officers once again combed through both properties, though they have not publicly disclosed why they returned or whether any potential evidence was collected. No information has been released about what, if anything, was found during the latest searches.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office has said the case remains an active, ongoing investigation. As of Saturday night, officials had not identified any suspects or even named a person of interest, underscoring how many unanswered questions still surround Nancy’s disappearance.
For Long Island viewers who regularly tune in to Savannah Guthrie on NBC 4 New York or national cable feeds, the case is a reminder that high-profile figures are not immune to the kind of tragedies that families in Nassau and Suffolk counties also fear — a loved one vanishing without explanation.
Local law enforcement experts on Long Island often warn residents about responding to ransom demands, especially those involving cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, which can be difficult to trace. While authorities in Arizona have not publicly advised on whether the Guthrie family should pay, investigators typically stress caution and encourage families to coordinate closely with police and the FBI in these situations.
As the Monday deadline approaches, concern is mounting among viewers and fans across the New York region. Many on Long Island are watching for updates, hoping for the best possible outcome — that Nancy Guthrie is found alive and reunited with her family.
Anyone following this case is likely to see further coverage on national broadcasts that air across the tri-state area, including Long Island, as law enforcement continues the search and evaluates the ransom notes.
Authorities in Pima County are asking anyone with information about Nancy’s whereabouts or the ransom communications to contact them immediately. While the investigation is centered in Arizona, digital evidence and tips can come from anywhere in the country, including from people in our region who may have seen or received suspicious messages related to the case.