Nancy, the mother of ‘Today’ co-host Savannah Guthrie, hasn’t been seen or heard from since Jan. 31
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Savannah Guthrie; Nancy Guthrie.Credit : Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty; Pima County Sheriff’s Department/X
A man has been released after being detained by police in connection with the kidnapping case of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie.
On Tuesday, Feb. 10, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed in a statement obtained by PEOPLE and shared on social media that deputies had “detained a subject during a traffic stop south of Tucson” in Arizona earlier that day.
The sheriff’s department then said in a further statement obtained by PEOPLE, “Investigators have completed their search of a property in Rio Rico. Nancy Guthrie investigation is ongoing. No further details at this time.”
It’s since been reported by CNN, CBS News and The New York Times that the man detained for questioning has been released.
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Nancy and Savannah Guthrie on Today on April 17, 2019.Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
According to CBS News, the man detained has spoken out, stating that he only wants to be identified as Carlos. He said he was detained after a traffic stop, per the outlet.
Speaking to reporters early on Wednesday, Feb. 11 outside his home in Rio Rico, Ariz., the man said, “I didn’t do anything … I’m innocent,” per a video posted on X by CBS reporter Andres Gutierrez.
He also said he allegedly doesn’t know who Savannah Guthrie or her mom Nancy is, according to the clip.
A Pima County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson didn’t immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.
Nancy was last seen at her Tucson home on Jan. 31. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department, along with the FBI, then launched a massive investigation into her disappearance, with Sheriff Chris Nanos saying at a Feb. 3 press conference that authorities believe she was taken against her will.
Nanos later confirmed that blood found on the exterior porch of Nancy’s home matches her DNA. He has also said that she is currently without her daily medication needed to survive. No suspects or persons of interest had been identified in Nancy’s kidnapping as of Wednesday, Feb. 11.
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Savannah Guthrie and mother Nancy Guthrie on Thursday, June 15, 2023. Nathan Congleton/NBC/Getty
On Tuesday, Feb. 10, the FBI released surveillance photos and video of an “armed” individual at Nancy’s front door on the morning of her kidnapping.
A timeline previously released by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department outlines Nancy’s last known movements. Her doorbell camera disconnects around 1:47 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 1, and at 2:12 a.m., the software detects a person. Then at 2:28 a.m., Nancy’s pacemaker app disconnects from her phone. Her family then reported her missing to police around noon.
“We believe she is still alive. Bring her home,” Savannah, 54, wrote on Instagram alongside the new photos. In recent days, the journalist has posted multiple videos pleading for her mother’s safe return and acknowledging the alleged ransom notes being investigated by authorities.
“We received your message and we understand,” Savannah said in a Feb. 7 video on Instagram. “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.”
An apparent ransom note sent to local Arizona television stations KOLD and KGUN demanded $6 million in bitcoin by 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 9 — a deadline that has now passed. It is unclear if any payment was made as the FBI did not disclose that information in a statement provided to PEOPLE just after 5 p.m. Monday.
An earlier deadline of Thursday, Feb. 5, which demanded $4 million, also passed without any payment being made, sources previously told PEOPLE.
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The FBI is now offering a $50,000 reward for any information leading to Nancy’s recovery or an arrest in the case. The FBI is urging anyone with tips or leads to call 1-800-CALL-FBI in addition to the Pima County Sheriff’s Office number, 520-351-4900.
