Camron Guthrie, son of Nancy Guthrie, made another appeal for their mother’s return on his sister’s Instagram account. The video was released at 5:00 p.m. local time, which marked the first deadline stated in the ransom note sent to media outlets, according to FBI Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke during a news conference on Thursday.
“Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you. We haven’t heard anything directly. We need you to reach out and we need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward. But first we have to know that you have our mom. We want to talk to you, and we are waiting for contact,” Camron Guthrie said, per CNN.
Meanwhile, a security camera at Nancy’s house detected a person in the middle of the night on Sunday. Still, there was no video to show who—or what—exactly triggered the alert, officials said.
The camera software detected a “person on camera” at 2:12 a.m., Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said.
“There’s no video available. They had no subscription, and therefore it would rewrite itself, cut up. It just kind of loops, right, and covers up. That’s what our analysis teams have told us,” Nanos said at a news conference on Thursday.
Without video, we can’t tell if a person or an animal tripped the system.
Savannah Guthrie, Nancy’s daughter and co-host of the “Today” show, also released a video this week appealing for the release of her mother.
In the video posted to social media, Savannah Guthrie addressed anyone who may be holding her 84-year-old mother, urging them to make contact and provide proof that Nancy Guthrie is alive. She said the family has heard media reports of possible ransom demands and stated they are “ready to talk,” but emphasized they need confirmation of her mother’s well-being before engaging.
“Momma, if you’re listening, we need you to come home. We miss you,” Savannah Guthrie said in the video, which also featured her siblings, who echoed the plea for Nancy Guthrie’s safe return.
“She has grandchildren that adore her and crowd around her and cover her with kisses,” Savannah Guthrie said. “She loves fun and adventure. She is a devoted friend. She is full of kindness and knowledge. Talk to her, and you’ll see.”
She went on to indicate that she and her family are “ready to talk.”
“However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated,” she said, adding the family needs proof their mother is alive.
At least three different media outlets—TMZ and the Tucson affiliates of CNN, KOLD, and KGUN—reported receiving ransom notes earlier this week. These notes demand millions of dollars in bitcoin for the safe return of Nancy Guthrie.
According to these outlets, the notes contained details regarding evidence found in Guthrie’s home, where authorities say she was last seen on Saturday night.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has chosen not to confirm whether the information in the notes aligns with the crime scene, but mentioned in an interview with CBS News that investigators did share the notes with Savannah Guthrie.
While investigators have not yet determined the legitimacy of the three similar notes, Sheriff Nanos stated on Tuesday that he was “absolutely not” dismissing them, KAKE reported.
“When the note comes to us, it’s like any piece of evidence,” Nanos told CBS News. “You give it to us. You give us a lead. We’re going to look at every aspect of that lead and work it as a lead.”
Nancy was reported missing earlier this week after failing to appear for a planned church service on Sunday morning at her Tucson-area home, prompting family members to check on her and contact authorities.