Gayle King has described the abduction of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie, as “very, very scary.”
“I just want this story to have a good outcome, that’s all,” King stated, showing visible emotion. “Every day you wake up hoping there’s news, you go to bed hoping there’s news, and my heart breaks when you see what Savannah and her family are going through.”
King highlighted the numerous unanswered questions in the case, noting it “hits home on many different levels.” “She’s respected, admired and adored, and we all want Savannah to be okay,” she added. “And we want Nancy Guthrie back home.”
The CBS journalist revealed she contacted Savannah privately but expected no reply amid the trauma. “I reached out, but I told her, ‘No response necessary,'” King explained. “Believe me, Savannah’s not checking her texts.”
Investigation Updates
Nancy Guthrie has been missing for seven days. Authorities provided new details during a February 5 press conference by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to Guthrie’s location. The FBI reported an arrest linked to a fake ransom note.
No suspect or person of interest has been named in the disappearance, but all leads remain under active review.
Family Plea and Official Statements
Savannah’s brother, Cameron Guthrie, posted a urgent appeal on social media: “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,” he continued. “We want to talk to you, and we are waiting for contact.”
FBI agent Heith Janke detailed the arrest: “We have made one arrest related to an imposter ransom demand, and a complaint will be presented to a magistrate judge later today.”
He warned potential scammers: “My next message is to those imposters who are trying to take advantage of and profit from this situation. We will investigate and ensure you are held accountable for your actions.”
Sheriff Nanos addressed questions on Guthrie’s status: “We are still looking for Nancy Guthrie. We operate from a position of, until we know, she’s alive.”
Ransom Details and Last Known Sighting
The initial ransom note to media set a deadline of 5 p.m. on February 5, without a specified time zone. A second deadline is February 9. No further contact has occurred from the alleged kidnappers.
Investigators believe Guthrie was taken against her will from near her Tucson, Arizona, home on January 31.
