A television news anchor who received a possible ransom note for Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, has disclosed the alarming 'red flags' that indicate the communication 'might not be a hoax'. Mary Coleman, a news anchor at KOLD in Arizona, explained that the note sent to her station contained highly specific information that only someone involved in the abduction would likely know.
Specific Details Raise Serious Concerns
Coleman told CNN on Wednesday that the note included sensitive details about the situation, a specific dollar amount, and a strict deadline. She emphasized that much of the information would not be accessible to individuals who were not present during the kidnapping. 'It contained a lot of information that only someone who was holding her for ransom would know,' Coleman stated. 'Some very sensitive information and things that people who weren't there when she was taken captive wouldn't know.'
She added that these specifics, which only Guthrie's abductor might possess, definitely raised significant red flags for her team. However, it remains unclear whether any of those details are accurate, as investigators and the Guthrie family have not publicly commented on them.
Family's Emotional Plea and Demand for Proof
Savannah Guthrie referenced the note in an emotional video plea for her mother's return on Wednesday night. In the recording, she expressed the family's prayers and efforts to find Nancy but insisted they would require proof that her mother is still alive before considering any demands. Guthrie described her mother as a 'kind, faithful, loyal, fiercely loving woman of goodness and light' and highlighted her humorous and clever personality.
Flanked by her siblings Annie and Camron, Guthrie's voice cracked with emotion as she directly addressed her mother, saying, 'Mommy, if you are hearing this, you are a strong woman. You are God's precious daughter.' Annie Guthrie called their mother their beacon and pleaded, 'Mamma, If you're listening, we need you to come home. We miss you.'
Investigation and Media Involvement
Coleman revealed that the note was sent to KOLD via email, and her team immediately forwarded it to the Pima County Sheriff's Department. 'We immediately sent that information over to the sheriff's department, and they're, of course, looking into the legitimacy of it,' she said. A detective later requested additional information to help trace an IP address and identify those responsible.
At least three media organizations have reported receiving purported ransom notes, all of which have been handed over to investigators. The sheriff's department has stated it is taking the notes and other tips seriously but has declined to comment further on the ongoing investigation.
Background on Nancy Guthrie's Disappearance
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen by her family at her house near Tucson, Arizona, on Saturday night and was reported missing the following afternoon. Authorities believe she was taken from her home against her will, citing signs of forced entry at her residence in the wealthy Catalina Foothills neighborhood, where she lives in a $1 million home.
Officials note that Nancy has limited mobility, suffers from high blood pressure, has a pacemaker, and requires daily medication for heart issues. They do not believe she left on her own. Her daughter, Savannah Guthrie, is estimated to earn around $8 million annually as a prominent face on the Today show.
At least one ransom note sent to TMZ demanded millions in Bitcoin for her release, but its authenticity is currently unclear. The family's plea was posted after police conducted extensive searches in and around Nancy Guthrie's home, with investigators returning for follow-up work after initial visits earlier in the week.
