Savannah Guthrie Issues Emotional Plea 9 Months After Mom’s Disappearance - Newsweek

Savannah Guthrie issued a new plea for information in the case of her missing 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, in a post on Instagram on Sunday.

Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was taken from her Arizona home shortly after she was dropped off by family members the night of January 31. Her family reported her missing to authorities the following day. However, despite months of searches and investigation, no leads have been made public in the case.

Sharing a photo of a drawing her daughter made that reads: "I know it may not seem like it but I really need my mommy," Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie posted, "Found this old drawing from my daughter today. It says so much about how I feel."

"The world goes on, things appear 'normal'—as we try to keep going and be strong, especially for our young kids—but it’s not and it never will be," she continued.

"For Annie and Tommy, for Cam and Kristine, for Mike and me and for all of mom’s beloved grandchildren: we ache for her, we cry out for answers, we cannot move forward," Guthrie wrote. "We need someone to help us, tell us what you know. Our mom was a light in this world. We want to celebrate her and give her the dignity she deserves. The reward is still available. Please. We are begging you. Please help us."

The FBI previously increased its reward to $100,000 for information leading to Guthrie's location or an arrest. The Guthrie family is offering a $1 million reward for information.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department (PCSD), the lead agency on the case, announced on Friday that its task force continues to work with labs in an attempt to further DNA analysis in the investigation.

"Earlier this month investigators traveled to Florida to meet with lab scientists to see what more could be done to advance the case. A number of ideas were discussed, and we continue to work with all of our partners to solve this case," the update from the sheriff's department said on X.

When reached for comment, the sheriff's department told Newsweek on Friday night that they had no additional information to provide.

Newsweek reached out to the PCSD by email Sunday for comment.

Investigators are now exploring whether additional DNA analysis could help move the case forward, the PCSD announced Friday.

Investigators traveled to Florida in October to consult laboratory scientists about what additional forensic analysis might be possible. Authorities said a number of ideas were discussed but have not publicly identified the samples or specific testing methods under consideration.

The consultation builds on forensic work that began soon after Guthrie's disappearance.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said investigators had recovered DNA from several gloves and other pieces of evidence shortly after the disappearance. Those profiles were being compared with samples from people known to have legitimate access to the home.

Gloves collected during the investigation were sent to an FBI laboratory for testing. The gloves appeared similar to those worn by the person that was captured in surveillance footage outside Guthrie's home the night she went missing, but authorities had not conclusively connected the recovered gloves to that person.

However, DNA obtained from one glove found about two miles from the home did not produce a match in CODIS, the FBI's national DNA database. The result did not identify the source of the DNA or establish whether the glove was connected to Guthrie's disappearance.

Nanos previously said investigators believed some DNA recovered in the investigation could potentially belong to the person responsible, but cautioned that the samples first needed to be separated and analyzed.

Sunday's Instagram post marks the latest in a series of public appeals Savannah Guthrie has made since her mother's disappearance.

In February, she appeared in an Instagram video and addressed whoever may have taken her mother.

"You're not lost or alone, and it is never too late to do the right thing," she said at the time. "We are here. And we believe. And we believe in the essential goodness of every human being."

In July, Guthrie said in a video, "It has been months since our mom was taken from us. Our family is in agony. We are in a nightmare that will not end. Nothing about our situation has changed. We have done our part and we will never stop looking for her."

She added: "So I'm asking you. Begging you to do the right thing now. Make the right choice. Help us find her. Tell us where to look for her. I truly believe it is never too late to do the right thing."

Her latest message described the lasting toll of having no answers about what happened to her mother.

She ended Sunday's post by thanking those who have supported her family and asking people to continue praying.

"Thank you to all those who have been kind and shown the best of humanity," she wrote. "Join us in praying without ceasing."

Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here. Contact Newsweek editors for this story: Anthony Murray and Hollie Silverman.