‘We need your help’ in ‘hour of desperation,’ Savannah Guthrie says in new video

“We are at an hour of desperation. And we need your help,” the NBC “Today” show host says in the Instagram video. 

“As we enter into another week of this nightmare,” she says, she and her sister and brother also want to say: “Thank you so much for all the prayers and the love that we have felt.” 

“We believe our mom is still out there,” that she has been able to feel the love and prayers, as well, and that “God is lifting her up” even in this dark time, Guthrie says, adding, in visible and audible anguish:

“She was taken and we don’t know where.”

Saying she wanted to share some thoughts, and apparently not speaking from a prepared statement this time, Guthrie does not address any potential kidnappers directly in the new video, as she and her siblings did in three  previous videos shared since their mother went missing from her Tucson home more than a week ago.

She also does not mention any ransom, after saying in a video Saturday with her sister Annie and brother Camron: “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.”

Authorities have said an alleged ransom letter being taken seriously contains a payment deadline today, Feb. 9, but that, at last report, the family had no way of directly communicating with ransom seekers. The siblings also asked in previous videos for ransom  seekers to provide proof they have their mother. 

Nancy Guthrie, an 84-year-old retired University of Arizona communications professional known for community leadership, is believed to have been abducted in the early morning hours Feb. 1 from her longtime home near North Campbell Avenue and East Skyline Drive, authorities have said.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said Sunday that investigators still had not identified any suspects, persons of interest, or vehicles connected to the case.

The latest update Monday afternoon from the Sheriff’s Department said investigators are following up on new leads, adding:

“Many of you observed an active law enforcement presence at the Guthrie residences over the weekend. That activity will continue tonight and into tomorrow as part of the ongoing investigative process, including the expansion of the search and follow-up on new leads.

“This is all part of the investigative process, as the search for Nancy expands and new leads come in. To preserve the integrity of this criminal investigation, details of that process are not being released at this time.”

Savannah Guthrie says in the new video: “Law enforcement is working tirelessly” to try to find her and bring her home, but needs help from anyone, whether in Tucson or far away, who might have information that could help the search.

The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.  

“Thousands of calls have been received across multiple tip lines, and investigators continue to review them,” the Sheriff’s Department said Monday.

“Anyone who believes they have information that may assist investigators is asked to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI, the PCSD non-emergency line at 520-351-4900 or 88-CRIME. Video or pictures can also be uploaded via the QR code” created by the Sheriff’s Department for this case.

The Sheriff’s Department has also urged people not to use the law enforcement phone lines to call in general messages of sympathy, support and prayers for the Guthrie family, however.

“We respectfully ask that these messages be shared on social media and not through the PCSD non-emergency hone line,” the department said last week. “Calls expressing condolences have overwhelmed our communications staff, and it’s critical that the line remain available for law enforcement purposes.”