Former FBI special agent, Jenniffer Coffindaffer, told Newsweek on Monday that Today host Savannah Guthrie's latest video to her mother's alleged abductor differs from her initial message.
Coffindaffer said Savannah "asked for no proof of life in that second message, and her whole tone is so different."
The former FBI agent said she believes that Savannah's latest video, which was posted on Saturday evening on Instagram, could be a response to an alleged abductor setting a deadline for the return of Nancy Guthrie's body.
"I believe it's because she's addressing the abductor that's basically said she's not with us, but if you want her body back, you have [till] 5 Monday," she said.
The alleged ransom notes reportedly warned that missing the 5 p.m. deadline for Monday, February 9 would be "far more consequential" than the previous Friday deadline that passed.
Law enforcement officials, meanwhile, have not publicly confirmed the specific contents of the alleged ransom notes.
"The FBI has acknowledged the ransom communications sent to certain media outlets, but we have not disclosed additional details from those communications. Outside of our previous statements, we have nothing more to add at this time," Connor Hagan, FBI public affairs officer, told Newsweek.
Authorities have also not publicly confirmed whether Nancy is known to be alive or dead. When Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos was asked whether officials were searching for her alive at a press conference last week, Nanos said, "We hope we are."
Nancy Guthrie, 84, has been missing for over a week, and her disappearance continues to receive national attention.
She was last seen at her home in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona, on January 31. An alleged ransom note was sent to local news stations and TMZ after her disappearance.
Nanos said at a press conference last week there were things at the crime scene that indicated Nancy "did not leave on her own."
The sheriff has also said Nancy needs daily medication and it could be fatal if she did not have the medication every 24 hours.
Savannah posted a new video to Instagram on Saturday where she delivered a message to her mother's alleged abductors, alongside her two siblings, Annie and Camron.
"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," Savannah said.
Coffindaffer said she believes that in the first note, the alleged abductor demanded a payment by 5 p.m. on Thursday "or we're going to harm your mom."
"They now in the second note, essentially, are saying she's not with us, and that's why Savannah Guthrie then comes back and says, we understand your message. Please release our mom to us so we can have some peace. This is the only way we'll have peace is to celebrate her," Coffindaffer said.
Savannah previously posted a video message to Instagram on Wednesday.
In the first message, she said, "We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. 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."
The Pima County Sheriff's Department told Newsweek that "detectives and agents continue to conduct follow-up at multiple locations," adding that "details of that follow-up are not being released at this time."
Law enforcement officials were seen at Annie Guthrie's home on Saturday, according to reports by NewsNation and PEOPLE.
Officials, including at least one deputy with the Pima County Sheriff's Department, searched the home from about 8 to 10:30 p.m. local time, PEOPLE reported. An official was seen exiting the home carrying a white suitcase and brown bag, while another was seen wearing blue gloves, the outlet reported.
Coffindaffer said law enforcement has conducted four searches at Nancy's home as investigators have yet to identify any suspects, persons of interest, or vehicles connected to the case.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department believes Nancy was taken "possibly in the middle of the night, and that includes possible kidnapping or abduction," NBC News reported.
Authorities have not announced any motivation behind the incident.
At approximately 5:32 p.m. on Saturday, Nancy traveled to her daughter Annie's house for dinner and to play games, Nanos said at a press conference last week. She was dropped off back at her house at approximately 9:48 p.m., Nanos said. He said her garage door closed at approximately 9:50 p.m.
A doorbell camera at the home disconnected at approximately 1:47 a.m. on Sunday, Nanos said. He said the camera detects a person at approximately 2:12 a.m., but no video is available because the camera was not linked to a subscription.
"Could that be an animal? I imagine that's possible. We don’t know that. We just have no video, but we’re not giving up on that," Nanos said.
At approximately 2:28 a.m., Nancy’s pacemaker app showed that it had disconnected from her phone, Nanos said.
Her family checked on her and discovered her missing the next morning, Nanos said.
Pima County Sheriff's Department, in comments to Newsweek: "This remains an active and ongoing investigation."
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social last week: "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. WE are deploying all resources to get her mother home safely. The prayers of our Nation are with her and her family. GOD BLESS AND PROTECT NANCY!"
Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). Individuals can also contact their local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. Tips can be submitted online at tips.fbi.gov. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the recovery of Nancy Guthrie and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.