“Today” show host Savannah Guthrie broke down in tears live on air Tuesday after new reports revealed that a ransom note believed to be sent by her missing mom’s kidnappers claimed she had died.
“I don’t have any comment on this story and I’m not involved in our coverage, but I can’t pretend I’m not here,” Guthrie said in an emotional statement from behind the desk of the NBC program, nearly five months after her mother vanished.
“And so since I am I wanted to just take the opportunity to ask people — to really to beg people — to come forward. Somebody knows something,” she said.
Savannah Guthrie said this morning on ‘Today’ that her and her family “are in agony and we cannot be at peace.” TODAY / NBCTwo notes were sent to Guthrie’s family and news outlets within days of 84-year-old Nancy’s Feb. 1 kidnapping from her Tucson, Arizona, home.
The first chilling note insisted Guthrie was “safe but scared” while demanding $4 million in Bitcoin for her return, Air Mail previously reported.
But the second note made the alarming claims that Nancy — who required daily medication for a critical heart condition — had died and been buried in nature, according to ABC News.
“This is a new story today that is on your radar but this is the life that my sister lives, that I live, that my brother lives, that our extended families live, that our children live everyday,” Savannah, 54, said Tuesday.
“We are in agony and we cannot be at peace. No matter how much I try to come out here everyday and smile and find that joy — and I will, I promise I will — this is the moment to tell you we need your help, we’re begging for your help and I’m not going to miss that opportunity.”
Guthrie later posted the clip of her public plea to her Instagram Stories, with the caption, “please. bring her home,” with a yellow heart emoji.
Savannah Guthrie posted the clip of her speaking on the show Tuesday to her Instagram Stories. Instagram / @savannahguthrie
A ransom note believed to be sent by Nancy Guthrie’s kidnappers claims that the missing woman had died. Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty ImagesInvestigators close to the case told CBS News Monday the notes are believed to be sent from the same person or group of people from the same digital IP address.
Savannah released a heartbreaking video on social media on Feb. 7, soon after the second note was reportedly received.
“We received your message and we understand,” Savannah said at the time.
“We beg you now to return our mother to us,” she said in the clip. “This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.”
Nancy remains missing with no known suspects or leads from investigators nearly five months after the vanishing.
