NBC ‘Begged’ to Pay Savannah Guthrie’s Mom’s $6M Ransom as the Network Reportedly Fears Becoming a ‘Target’ For Expulsion—They Don’t Want ‘Blood on Their Hands’
When it became clear that Savannah Guthrie’s mom, Nancy, had been kidnapped, the focus then turned to her possible abductors and what exactly they wanted. Ransom notes were received by both TMZ and two local Tucson TV stations, and from then on, the focus has been on getting Nancy Guthrie back alive, no matter the cost. Her family even went on social media to say they would pay the ransom.
That ransom, as specified in the note, has been set at 6 million dollars. It’s a considerable amount, even for Guthrie, who is better known for her on-camera role on the Today show. But as the family confirmed they were willing to pay and pleaded with the captors, some people have started to wonder if the ransom has indeed been paid and who paid it.
Related: Who are Savannah Guthrie’s siblings?
According to Rob Shuter, NBC staffers have been putting pressure on leadership to step in to pay the ransom. “People are begging the company to do something,” one insider told Shuter. “Savannah is family to them.”
But the company is afraid it could set a dangerous precedent. “That’s the nightmare scenario,” a source explained. “You don’t want to become a target.”
So, discussions are being had. “No one wants blood on their hands,” the insider said. “But no one wants to open a door that can’t be closed.”
Meanwhile, the reports indicate there’s no pressure on Guthrie to resume her usual duties on the Today show. But everyone is rattled by her absence and what’s going on—and following the news closely.
“This isn’t about ratings or contracts,” another source added. “It’s about fear, compassion, and the impossible choices no one prepares you for.”
All of this comes as police have recovered a glove they believe to be connected to the kidnapping and have released photos and surveillance video showing a suspect. TMZ also reported that police believe the kidnapper is from the Tucson area, due to the fact that the ransom note sent promised to return Nancy Guthrie to Tucson within 12 hours of receiving the ransom. The note was also sent to two local TV stations in Tucson.
Nancy Guthrie went missing sometime between the night of January 31st and the morning of February 1st, and was reported missing after her family checked on her when she didn’t show up for church on that Sunday. She and her late husband Charles shared three kids: Savannah, Annie and Camron.
Savannah Guthrie has been absent from her job on the Today Show since February 2. She and her siblings have been posting online ever since their mom disappeared, and even pleaded to pay the ransom requested. On a message posted on Saturday, February 7, Guthrie said. “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.”
On another video, she said, “We believe that somehow, some way, [Nancy] is feeling these prayers and that God is lifting her even in this moment and in this darkest place,” adding, “We believe our mom is still out there.”
