Today anchor Savannah Guthrie has released a series of instructional videos on Friday, meticulously outlining the process for collecting the substantial $1 million reward her family is offering. This financial incentive is specifically for information that leads to the safe return of her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, who has been missing for 27 days.
Clarifying the Anonymous Tip Process
In her social media posts, Guthrie, aged 54, repurposed segments from her initial Instagram plea issued on Tuesday, which first announced the new reward. She strongly reiterated that the million-dollar offer remains fully active and available. The NBC star also disseminated a Today show report that provided explicit instructions on how members of the public can submit anonymous tips directly to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Co-anchors Detail the Simple Procedure
The televised segment, overseen by co-anchors Carson Daly, Hoda Kotb, and Craig Melvin, with contributions from NBC News Correspondent Liz Kreutz, explained the straightforward requirements for informants. According to the report, individuals need only provide a unique 7-digit pin number to be linked to their tip. To collect the reward money, they must designate a neutral location, such as a post office, ensuring complete anonymity throughout the process.
"Please - be the one that brings her home," Guthrie wrote in an emotional caption accompanying the video. "Tips can be anonymous, reward can be paid in cash, as explained here." She echoed this sentiment in another post, pleading, "Please bring her home. You can be anonymous."
Addressing Concerns and Making a Heartfelt Appeal
Law enforcement officials have previously voiced concerns that potential informants might be reluctant to come forward due to fears of their identities being exposed. Guthrie's videos directly aim to alleviate these anxieties by clarifying the secure, anonymous nature of the tip submission.
"We need to know where she is. We need her to come home. For that reason, we are offering a family reward of up to $1 million for any information that leads us to her recovery," Guthrie stated in her video message. She made a direct appeal to anyone holding back: "If you've been waiting and you haven't been sure, let this be your sign to please come forward. Tell what you know and help us bring our beloved mom home."
Acknowledging All Possibilities
In a particularly poignant segment of the video shared earlier this week, Guthrie acknowledged for the first time the grim possibility that her mother may no longer be alive. "We also know that she may be lost, she may already be gone. She may have already gone home to the lord that she loves," she said, while still holding out hope for a "glorious, miraculous homecoming" or a celebration of Nancy's "beautiful, brave, noble and courageous life."
The Investigation's Current Status
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home in Tucson, Arizona, late on the evening of January 31st. Disturbing evidence has emerged, including droplets of blood found on the residence's front porch. Footage from Nancy's Nest camera captured a suspect wearing a ski mask at her door in the early hours of February 1st, minutes before her pacemaker inexplicably stopped transmitting data.
As of now, no suspects have been publicly named, and no arrests have been made. FBI agents were observed outside Nancy's residence on Wednesday, as part of an effort to return the property to the Guthrie family. During this visit, agents re-examined portions of the property that had already been searched.
Shifting Resources and Sifting Evidence
Sources indicate that investigators have concluded their work at the Tucson home for the time being. The command center is reportedly relocating to Phoenix, which hosts Arizona's largest FBI field office. The investigative team is currently scrutinizing a vast array of evidence. This includes security camera footage, DNA samples, Walmart sales receipts, and more than 1,500 tips that have flooded in since the $1 million reward was announced on Tuesday.
While there was an initial surge in calls to the sheriff's department following the reward announcement, sources report that the volume of tips has since diminished. The family and authorities continue their urgent search, hoping the clarified reward process will yield the crucial breakthrough needed to find Nancy Guthrie.
