The search for “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie‘s mother is stretching into a second week as authorities still work to identify a possible suspect — or suspects — and motive in the 84-year-old’s disappearance.
Nancy Guthrie was reported missing on Sunday, Feb.1, after not showing up for church, and the sheriff said it appears she was abducted from her home in Tucson, Arizona. Her family is pleading for her return.
Savannah Guthrie has appealed directly to whoever may have taken her mother. The FBI says it is taking two emails seriously, including what appears to be a ransom note with a second deadline set for later on Monday.
Here is a timeline of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.
Saturday night, Jan. 31: Nancy Guthrie last seen
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on Saturday night, authorities said. She arrived at her daughter Annie’s home at 5:32 p.m. She dined there and was dropped off at her own home after dinner at around 9:48 p.m.
She was dropped off at home by her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni. Police say he waited until Nancy Guthrie was inside before driving off.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said at a news conference Thursday that her garage door closed at 9:50 p.m., at which time authorities assume Nancy Guthrie was home and going to bed.
Sunday morning, Feb. 1: Not at church
A doorbell camera at Nancy Guthrie’s home disconnected at 1:47 a.m., and software detected someone, or possibly an animal, on a camera about 25 minutes later, Nanos said Thursday, but he noted no video is available.
Guthrie’s pacemaker app showed a disconnect from her phone at 2:28 a.m.
On Sunday morning, a friend called Guthrie’s family, telling them she had not shown up for church. They notified the sheriff’s department around noon that day, minutes after checking in on her.
Once police arrived at the home at 12:15 p.m, they determined Nancy Guthrie was missing under “concerning” circumstances.
Guthrie has limited mobility and relies on daily medication for her health, officials have said. That prompted an urgent search for her in Arizona on Sunday night.
Monday, Feb. 2: Sheriff says “I believe she was abducted”
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed on Monday that her disappearance was being treated as a crime, and urged neighbors to review home video camera footage.
“We saw some things at the home that were concerning to us,” Nanos told reporters. “We believe now after we’ve processed that crime scene that we do in fact have a crime scene, that we do in fact have a crime, and we’re asking the community’s help.”
He told CBS News he believed Guthrie was “abducted” in the middle of the night.
“I believe she was abducted, yes,” Nanos said. “She didn’t walk from there. She didn’t go willingly.”
A missing person’s flier from the sheriff’s department described her as 5 feet, 5 inches tall, with brown hair and blue eyes and weighing 150 pounds.
Tuesday, Feb. 3: Ransom note and blood at scene
On Tuesday, authorities said they were analyzing an apparent ransom note with details about what the 84-year-old was wearing on the night of the crime. The note demanded payment in bitcoin.
“We are aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s) regarding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said in a social media statement. “We are taking all tips and leads very seriously. Anything that comes in, goes directly to our detectives who are coordinating with the FBI.”
They were also looking at what appeared to be drops of blood outside the front door. A law enforcement source also told CBS News some was also found inside the house.
The blood found outside Nancy Guthrie’s home has been confirmed to be hers, Nanos later said, adding that investigators were awaiting results from additional samples.
Authorities said surveillance video from the home had led nowhere, and there was still no suspect.
“Nothing has come up that says, ‘Here he is, here’s your bad guy,'” Nanos told CBS News on Tuesday.
Wednesday, Feb. 4: Video appeal from Savannah Guthrie
Authorities said Wednesday morning that investigators still had not identified a suspect or person of interest in the case.
“Detectives continue to speak with anyone who may have had contact with Mrs. Guthrie,” the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said on social media.
On Wednesday night, the FBI was back at Nancy Guthrie’s home, using canines to search as they worked to track down every lead.
Meanwhile, Savannah Guthrie released an emotional video pleading for her mother’s return and saying her family is “ready to talk.”
“We live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her,” Savannah Guthrie said in the video with her two siblings, addressing a possible captor or captors. “We want to hear from you, and we are ready to listen. Please, reach out to us.”
Savannah Guthrie said her mother’s health and heart are fragile.
“She lives in constant pain. She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive. She needs it not to suffer,” Savannah Guthrie said.
She also addressed her mom directly, saying: “Mommy, if you are hearing this, you are a strong woman. You are God’s precious daughter, Nancy. We believe and know that even in this valley, He is with you. Everyone is looking for you, mommy, everywhere. We will not rest, your children will not rest, until we are together again.”
Around the same time that video was released, President Trump said on social media that he spoke with Savannah Guthrie “and let her know that I am directing ALL Federal Law Enforcement to be at the family’s, and Local Law Enforcement’s, complete disposal, IMMEDIATELY.”
“We are deploying all resources to get her mother home safely,” he posted.
Thursday, Feb. 5: “Still out there”
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said at a news conference Thursday, “We believe Nancy is still out there.” He also said that as of late morning local time, authorities had not identified a suspect or a person of interest.
A ransom note that investigators said they’re taking seriously included a deadline of 5 p.m. Thursday, Heith Janke, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s field office in Phoenix, said at the news conference.
“If a transfer wasn’t made, then I think a second demand was for next Monday,” Janke said. He wouldn’t provide details about what the note said would happen if the demands weren’t met.
Separately, an alleged impostor was arrested for making a phony ransom demand in the case, Janke said.
Authorities are continuing to ask for the public’s help and urging anyone with possible information to contact them. The FBI announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery or the arrest and conviction of people involved in her disappearance.
“It only takes one tip, just one, to break the case open, to offer that lead that we so desperately need in this case,” chief of detectives for the Pima County Attorney’s Office, Fabian Pacheco, who oversees one of the tip lines, told CBS News in an interview that aired on “CBS Mornings” Thursday.
He said about 10% of leads have value.
Anyone with information is being urged to call (520)-882-7463.
In a video posted to Savannah Guthrie’s Instagram account on Thursday night, her brother Camron Guthrie made another appeal for the return of their mother.
“Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you,” Camron Guthrie said. “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.”
Friday, Feb. 6: Authorities say they’re “aware of a new message”
A second message was sent to CBS News’ Tucson affiliate KOLD on Friday. The station said it would not release details about its contents, citing respect for the family and the investigation.
Local and federal authorities said they’re “aware of a new message” regarding Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.
“Investigators are actively inspecting the information provided in the message for its authenticity,” the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said in a post on social media. The FBI also posted a similar statement on social media. It’s unclear what kind of message it is.
In another social media post just after 4 p.m. local time Friday, the sheriff’s department said investigators were “conducting follow-up” at the home of Nancy Guthrie and “surrounding areas.”
FBI agents removed a camera from the roof of Nancy Guthrie’s home and towed a dark-colored SUV from her garage.
Saturday, Feb. 7: Savannah Guthrie says “we will pay” for Nancy’s safe return
Savannah Guthrie and her two siblings posted a new video to social media Saturday that appeared to be directed at the alleged abductor or abductors, in which she acknowledged having “received a message,” and said that the Guthrie family would be willing to pay to see the safe return of Nancy Guthrie.
“We received your message and we understand,” Guthrie said in the short video, appearing alongside her siblings Annie and Camron Guthrie. “We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us and we will pay.”
An FBI spokesman said Savannah Guthrie was referring to the message sent to KOLD the day before, The Associated Press reported.
A few hours after the video was released, investigators went to the home of Nancy Guthrie’s daughter Annie, where she had dinner the night before she disappeared. They were there for about 2.5 hours and focused primarily on the garage of the home.
Two law enforcement sources told CBS News on Saturday that investigators were “developing good information” but that “nothing is imminent.”
Sunday, Feb. 8:
Sheriff detectives were at Nancy Guthrie’s home on Sunday, focusing on the property’s perimeter along the backyard. Investigators also searched what appeared to be a septic tank in the backyard.
Monday, Feb. 9: Savannah Guthrie pleads for public’s help
A second ransom deadline was looming Monday as the search for Nancy Guthrie entered its second week.
CBS News has learned investigators are canvassing nearby gas stations in an effort to track down any suspicious vehicles captured on surveillance cameras around the time Nancy Guthrie went missing.
A sheriff’s deputy will now be stationed outside Nancy Guthrie’s home, around the clock, for security purposes.
On Monday afternoon, Savannah Guthrie issued a plea for the public’s assistance, saying they’re “at an hour of desperation and we need your help.”
“Law enforcement is working tirelessly around the clock trying to bring her home, trying to find her,” Savannah said of her mom. “She was taken and we don’t know where, and we need your help.” She asked the public, “even if you’re far from Tucson,” that if someone sees or hears anything, or “if there’s anything at all that seems strange to you,” to report it to law enforcement.
Anyone with possible information on Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance is asked to call 520-882-7463.