Digital Billboards Deployed Across Southwest in Search for Missing Elderly Woman
Digital billboards have been prominently displayed across multiple Southwestern states as law enforcement agencies intensify their search for Nancy Guthrie, an 84-year-old woman who vanished from her home in Tucson, Arizona. The Pima County Sheriff's Department, in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is treating the disappearance as a potential kidnapping, with Nancy now missing for nearly a week. Authorities have issued urgent public appeals for any information regarding her whereabouts, emphasizing the critical nature of the situation due to her medical needs.
Extensive Billboard Campaign and FBI Involvement
The digital billboards, featuring a photograph of Nancy along with details such as her age, height, and weight, have been activated in major cities including El Paso, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Houston, and San Antonio. FBI Phoenix Public Affairs Officer Brooke A Brennan confirmed to CNN that additional billboards are planned for Albuquerque, San Diego, and Los Angeles. This initiative leverages the FBI's digital billboard program, established in 2007, which allows for rapid dissemination of information to aid in investigations, bypassing traditional sign-erection processes. Each billboard prominently displays an FBI tip line, encouraging individuals to report any potentially relevant information directly to authorities.
Forensic Evidence and Investigation Details
Investigators have conducted multiple searches of Nancy's home in the rural Catalina Foothills neighborhood of Tucson, uncovering several concerning clues. Upon initial entry, authorities discovered blood on the door and noted that a Ring Camera had been removed from the property. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos stated at a press conference that law enforcement believes Nancy was forcibly taken from her residence. The investigation has also involved interviewing staff and an Uber driver who dropped Nancy off prior to her disappearance, with aerial footage and drone surveillance capturing FBI agents removing a wired device from the roof and towing a vehicle from the garage on Friday.
Ransom Notes and Potential Motives
Authorities have received multiple reports of alleged ransom notes, though no motive, suspect, or person of interest has been officially released. Earlier this week, two Tucson-based news outlets and TMZ reported receiving demands from what appeared to be Nancy's potential kidnapper. TMZ detailed a letter demanding millions in bitcoin with a Monday deadline, while local station KOLD reported receiving a second ominous message on Friday, which they believe contains information to prove the sender's identity. Mary Coleman, a reporter for KOLD, indicated the message was sent from a secure server and was immediately reported to law enforcement. In a related development, Derrick Callella, a California resident, was arrested on Thursday for allegedly sending false ransom notes to Nancy's daughter, Annie, and son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni.
Family Appeals and Health Concerns
Nancy Guthrie's family, including her daughter Savannah Guthrie, host of the Today Show, have made emotional public appeals. Savannah and her siblings, Annie and Camron, released a video on Wednesday pleading with the alleged kidnapper to communicate, highlighting Nancy's fragile health. Savannah tearfully noted that Nancy has a pacemaker and requires daily prescription medication to survive and avoid suffering. Sheriff Nanos expressed hope that Nancy is still alive, stating, "What I believe is that Nancy was removed from her home against her will, and that we need to find her. She's still alive."
Ongoing Leads and Community Cooperation
Law enforcement is treating the alleged ransom notes as serious leads, though their validity remains unconfirmed. A vehicle of interest was reported on Friday, believed to have been spotted at a local Circle K gas station near Nancy's home. A spokesperson for the convenience store confirmed that authorities received a tip identifying the vehicle and are cooperating by providing surveillance camera footage. As the search continues, authorities are racing against time due to Nancy's medical condition, with the investigation expanding across state lines and involving multiple agencies to bring her home safely.
