Nearly seven months into the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie's mother Nancy Guthrie from her home in Tucson, Arizona, new details have emerged on one of the earliest developments in the case.
The 84-year-old mother of the TODAY anchor has been missing since the wee hours of February 1, and was reported to be gone soon after.
What do we know now of the early days of the Nancy Guthrie disappearance?
On a new episode of the podcast Crime Junkie, uploaded on July 22, host Ashley Flowers was joined by crime journalist Briana Whitney, who worked as an investigative reporter for a local Phoenix newsroom in the early days of the case.
© InstagramShe shared some details from the initial investigations of Nancy's home in her Tucson neighborhood from which she'd apparently been kidnapped, explaining how it struck her as odd at first that media were allowed unfettered access to most of the home.
Briana recalled seeing blood spatters by the door, supporting the abduction theory, and then shared some details of the alleged very first ransom note that had been sent to the Guthrie family and select media outlets, although maintained that the FBI and Pima County Sheriff's Department are still investigating its legitimacy.
The journalist did share what she believed to be the contents of the note, as reported by the PCSD during their first (and so far only) press conference concerning the note.
© Getty ImagesWhat was written in the first Nancy Guthrie ransom note?
"Hello, Savannah. We have your mother, Nancy. She is safe but scared," she read aloud. "She will be held for ransom, and once payment is received, she will be released unharmed. We will be holding her for a maximum of seven days."
Briana elaborated on the ransom payment being asked for in bitcoin, while also sharing her opinion on two possible theories: one, that since the payment was specifically being demanded in "US dollars," the note sender was not American, and two, that the disappearance was specifically tied to Savannah as the note addressed her directly instead of her family.
She continued: "If the payment is not received by the last deadline on Monday the 9th at 5 PM, she will be killed. Your mother is aware of this and her life is in your hands."
© Getty Images"It is in the best interest of everyone to have this completed as soon as possible. You will not be able to contact me from here on out. There will be no negotiation. Do not play games. Law enforcement will not be able to help you," the chilling note allegedly added, even sharing some details of the state of Nancy's home to confirm that it was indeed her.
Several other ransom notes have allegedly since been sent to both the Guthrie family and other media outlets over the past few months, although their legitimacy has been called into question by both the PCSD and the FBI at several points, both of whom continue to look into their authenticity.
HELLO! has reached out to both the Pima County Sheriff's Department and the FBI for comment.
© Getty ImagesAnyone with information on the case that could be of assistance is encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online
