A TV news anchor who saw a possible ransom note for Savannah Guthrie's mother Nancy has revealed the 'red flags' that have led them to believe it 'might not be a hoax'.
Arizona news anchor Mary Coleman said the Nancy Guthrie ransom note that was sent to the KOLD newsroom contained a 'lot of it is information that only someone who was holding her for ransom would know.'
'Some very sensitive information and things that people who weren't there when she was taken captive wouldn't know,' Coleman told CNN on Wednesday.
She added, 'It also included a dollar amount, a deadline, and, again, other specifics that only Guthrie's abductor might know, so that definitely raised some red flags.'
It remains unclear if any of those specific details were true as neither investigators nor the Guthrie family have commented on them.
Savannah Guthrie referenced the note in an emotional video plea for her mother's return on Wednesday night, but said the family would require proof her mother was still alive before considering its demands.
Coleman also revealed the note was sent to the station via email, and that her team immediately sent it to the Pima County Sheriff's Department.
'We immediately sent that information over to the sheriff's department, and they're, of course, looking into the legitimacy of it,' she said.
A possible ransom note for Savannah Guthrie's mother Nancy (together in June 2023) 'might not be a hoax', a local TV news anchor has claimed
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen by her family at her house near Tucson, Arizona, on Saturday night and was reported missing the following afternoon. Authorities believe she was taken from her home against her will
KOLD news anchor Mary Coleman told CNN the Nancy Guthrie note contained a 'lot of it is information that only someone who was holding her for ransom would know'
'One of the detectives did get back to us and asked us for some more information so that they can start searching for an IP address and things of that nature to try and figure out who or what people are responsible here.'
At least three media organizations have reported receiving purported ransom notes that they handed over to investigators. The sheriff's department said it was taking the notes and other tips seriously but has declined to comment further.
Nancy, 84, was last seen by her family at her house near Tucson, Arizona, on Saturday night and was reported missing the following afternoon, with authorities believing she was taken from her home against her will.
At least one ransom note sent to TMZ demanding millions in Bitcoin for her release, but it is currently unclear if the note is genuine.
Nancy lives in a $1 million home in the wealthy Catalina Foothills neighborhood.
Her daughter is estimated to make around $8 million a year as one of the nation's most well-known faces on the Today show.
Guthrie and her siblings, Annie and Camron, released a video statement on Instagram, sending direct messages to their mom and her abductor.
The Today Show host was emotional during the recording, with her voice cracking. She addressed her mother directly, saying the family was praying for her and that people were looking for her.
'Mommy, if you are hearing this, you are a strong woman. You are God's precious daughter,' Savannah Guthrie said.
Officials say Nancy, 84, is frail and has poor mobility, and suffers from a condition that requiries her to take medication daily
The newscaster was flanked by her sister Annie and her brother Camron who both also spoke. Annie called their mother their beacon and said they need her.
The family posted their plea after police searched in and around Nancy Guthrie´s home for several hours Wednesday.
Investigators returned for the follow-up investigation after being at the home earlier in the week for a couple of days.
Nancy has limited mobility, and officials do not believe she left on her own. There were also signs of forced entry at her home in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood.
A sheriff's dispatcher talking to deputies during a search Sunday indicated that Nancy has high blood pressure, a pacemaker and heart issues.