Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump said Tuesday he plans to personally contact Savannah Guthrie and offer additional federal assistance as authorities investigate the apparent abduction of her mother in Tucson, Arizona.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen at her home around 9:30 p.m. Saturday and was reported missing by family members about noon Sunday, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. Investigators have said they believe she was either kidnapped or abducted, noting that blood was found outside the residence. Officials have not released further details about the circumstances.
During a question-and-answer session in the White House Oval Office, the president said he is weighing whether to deploy additional federal agents to assist with the case.
“I think it’s terrible,” President Trump said. “I’m going to call Savannah later on. I think it’s a terrible thing. Very unusual situation, but we’re going to find out.”
President Trump also referenced his past on-air clashes with Guthrie, including a tense exchange during an October 2020 NBC town hall, but added, “I always got along very good with Savannah.”
The disappearance is being investigated jointly by local authorities and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The sheriff’s department confirmed Tuesday that it is aware of reports circulating about a possible ransom note.
“We are aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s) regarding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie,” the department said in a statement. “Anything that comes in goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI.”
Media outlets TMZ and KOLD 13 News reported they received unverified ransom notes demanding money for Guthrie’s return. TMZ said the note it obtained sought millions of dollars in Bitcoin and included details about the case that have not been publicly released, along with a deadline.
Savannah Guthrie has asked the public for prayers for her mother’s safe return.
“We believe in prayer. We believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope. We believe in goodness. We believe in humanity. Above all, we believe in Him,” she wrote.
“Thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant. Raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment,” Savannah Guthrie added. “We need you.”