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Miami.- Arizona authorities announced they have opened a criminal investigation into the disappearance of the mother of journalist Savannah Guthrie, co-host of NBC's TODAY morning show, after finding indications at the house that she did not leave of her own accord.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos explained about a possible ransom request for Nancy Guthrie, 84, who was last seen on Saturday night at her residence in a community northeast of Tucson.
The official neither confirmed nor denied reports from media outlets like TMZ, which claimed there is a note demanding millions of dollars in bitcoins for the woman's ransom, who could be in danger because she needs medication to stay alive.
"We are aware of the reports circulating about possible ransom notes in relation to the investigation of Nancy Guthrie. We are taking all leads and lines of investigation very seriously," Nanos elaborated in a clarifying note after the conference.
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The sheriff stated that the authorities believe that "Nancy was taken against her will" from her home, where they are analyzing DNA evidence, although there are no leads on the possible attackers.
The police also cannot yet confirm whether the kidnapping was a random act of violence or an attack specifically aimed at the journalist's mother, who has been a co-host since 2012 of 'TODAY', one of the most-watched morning shows in the United States.
"Thank you for lifting your prayers with us for our beloved mother, our dear Nancy, a woman of deep convictions, a good and faithful servant," said the communicator, who is also the chief legal affairs correspondent for NBC News and its lead anchor for election coverage and special events.
Authorities have been searching for Nancy Guthrie since Sunday afternoon, after the family reported her disappearance.
The woman lives alone in the house, although she has staff who help her with domestic chores and the police consider that she was "in full mental faculties" and did not present cognitive problems.
