Savannah Guthrie’s emotional plea to the alleged captors of her mother, Nancy, may be telling in itself — suggesting that the Today show star’s family has not yet received a credible ransom demand, according to former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe.
“To me, it reads like an effort to establish some sort of communication,” McCabe told CNN late Wednesday. “We don’t know this for sure, but I feel this is a fairly strong signal they don’t believe they’ve had a legitimate ransom demand yet.”
“What you hear the family saying is, ‘We’re ready to talk, reach out to us, we just want to know you have our mother.’ That’s not something that you would do if already in negotiations with someone that you actually thought had the victim.”
Savannah Guthrie made a direct and emotional appeal to her mother’s alleged kidnappers in a social media video posted Wednesday, a move that immediately captured public attention and underscored the family’s growing desperation. via REUTERS
But McCabe said the appeal is not uncommon before adding: “In these situations, you get a lot of false leads, you get a lot of scammers, you get a lot of people trying to take advantage of a horrible situation — which is unthinkable, but it does happen.”
He warned that Nancy Guthrie would likely struggle to withstand the harsh realities of confinement, citing her vulnerability, advanced age, and fragile health.
“This experience is incredibly stressful — medically, psychologically, physically — so knowing that, it’s hard to imagine that an organized, well-executed kidnapping would delay serving a ransom demand. I would have kind of expected that to have happened,” he said.
McCabe said the situation leaves the door open to multiple possibilities, but he stopped short of offering any further speculation.
Churchgoers gathered in Tucson on Wednesday for a solemn vigil honoring Nancy, coming together in prayer and quiet support as concern for her safety continued to grow. Saint Philip's in the Hills
Savannah pleaded with the alleged abductor to give her family any sign that their beloved matriarch is still alive, a heart-wrenching appeal that underscored their mounting fear and hope.
She made her desperate appeal as the search for Nancy — who disappeared from her million-dollar home in Catalina Hills, Arizona — entered its fifth tense and uncertain day.
“We need to know, without a doubt, that she is alive, and that you have her. We want to hear from you, and we are ready to listen. Please, reach out to us,” Savannah said alongside her siblings.
Over 400 people gathered at a Tucson church on Wednesday for a heartfelt vigil honoring Nancy, coming together in solidarity and hope amid growing concern for her safety.
Candles flickered at the altar of St. Philip’s in the Hill Episcopal Church as attendees prayed and shared memories of the Guthrie family, creating a poignant scene, according to the Arizona Republic.
President Trump personally spoke with Savannah, pledging to marshal every available resource to help locate her mother.
“I spoke with Savannah Guthrie, and let her know that I am directing ALL Federal Law Enforcement to be at the family’s, and Local Law Enforcement’s, complete disposal, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.
“We are deploying all resources to get her mother home safely.”
A portrait of the matriarch stood prominently at the front of the church, serving as a touching reminder of her presence amid the vigil. Saint Philip's in the Hills
Savannah told Trump that her family was heartbroken and in desperate need of prayers above all else, NBC News reported, expressing gratitude to the commander-in-chief for personally reaching out.
Attorney General Pam Bondi also reached out to Savannah on Wednesday, while FBI Director Kash Patel is en route to Tucson, Axios reported.
Authorities are continuing to investigate alleged ransom notes — one reportedly sent to TMZ and others to local news outlets.
Nancy, 84, was reported missing on Sunday, sparking a widespread search and deep concern for her safety. Savannah Guthrie/Instagram
The alleged note sent to TMZ demanded a multi-million-dollar ransom to be paid in cryptocurrency.
Speaking directly about the alleged ransom notes, authorities said that any tips or information should go straight to the detectives working alongside the FBI.
An alleged note sent to CBS affiliate KOLD-TV included specific details about what Nancy was wearing the night before she was reportedly abducted.
Nancy disappeared just hours after returning home from a Saturday night dinner, with her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, reportedly the last person to see her. Cioni is married to Savannah’s sister, Annie.
Cioni made sure Nancy got safely inside her home, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told The New York Times.
