Hostage Rescue Team Reportedly Arrives For Savannah Guthrie’s Mom Case as Sources Speculate if There ‘Could Be Movement Tonight’
The latest in the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mom, Nancy Guthrie, seems to change by the hour. Guthrie disappeared sometime between the night of January 31st and the morning of February 1st, and police have confirmed she was abducted and did not just wander off. They’ve released pictures and video of her suspected abductor. There has reportedly been a ransom note and even a payment made.
But is Nancy Guthrie coming home? The FBI’s elite hostage rescue team is now in Tucson, News Nation is reporting. A spokesperson for the Oro Valley Police Department confirmed that members of the regional SWAT team and bomb squads have been activated for a mission with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. Investigators have also been speaking to people in the area and asking residents who live nearby to check their cameras for any footage.
Related: Who are Savannah Guthrie’s siblings?
An expert on News Nation recently suggested that it’s likely that Nancy Guthrie knew the suspect, and it will end up being a family member or a friend. The speculation is also that “there will be an arrest eventually” thanks to the new evidence.
Expectations are high that something could be happening soon, as TMZ reported that there has been movement in the Bitcoin account listed in the first ransom note. That note was sent to not only TMZ, but also two local TV stations in Tucson. TMZ did not confirm the amount or the time of the transaction, but it did suggest the payment had been made, which means it’s likely we might know something by tonight.
In the note, the kidnapper promised to return Nancy to Tucson within 12 hours of receiving the ransom, which puts them somewhere within a 700-mile radius of Tucson.
TMZ also received a second note that says, “If they want the name of the individual involved then I want 1 Bitcoin to the following wallet. Time is more than relevant,” which at least indicates someone is aware of who the kidnapper is. There’s no confirmation on if the family will pay this second ransom for information.
Police recently detained a man for questioning in the abduction, though he has now been released. Previously, the FBI had also released surveillance photos and video of a potential subject, which they obtained thanks to Nancy Guthrie’s doorbell and security cameras. The footage has reportedly led to an uptick in tips and leads, which law enforcement has been investigating.
Nancy Guthrie and her late husband Charles share three kids: Savannah, Annie, and Camron. Savannah Guthrie is a familiar face to TV viewers thanks to the Today show. She has not appeared on the show since Feb. 2, but she has, alongside her siblings, posted several videos on Instagram, pleading with their mother’s potential abductors.
On one of those videos, posted on Saturday, Feb. 7, the family said they were willing to pay the ransom. “We received your message and we understand. 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.”
