Latest Developments in Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance

Law enforcement has confirmed that both the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department are looking into new messages that may relate to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie. They are currently assessing the messages for authenticity, but there’s no confirmation yet that they are legitimate.

Local news stations have reported receiving a second message and have forwarded it to investigators with the Pima County Sheriff’s Office.

The situation has taken a serious turn as the incident marks its sixth day. The FBI revealed that a ransom deadline set for Thursday at 5 PM has passed without any further communication from the kidnappers. The initial demand was for a substantial sum in Bitcoin, but—since the deadline—the authorities have not heard anything more, nor has any proof of life been provided.

Adding to the complexity, a man named Derrick Carrera from California has been charged for allegedly sending a fake ransom demand related to Nancy. He reportedly contacted his family after posting a video in which he mentioned negotiating money in exchange for his mother. Authorities have clarified that this case is distinct from Nancy’s situation.

“At this time, we believe Nancy is still out there. We want her home,” said Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos during a news conference on Thursday.

There’s mention of another deadline arriving on Monday, though police have not detailed what could happen if the demands are unmet. Reports suggest that failure to comply will lead to new demands, possibly more severe in nature.

Investigators confirmed that blood found on Nancy’s front porch belongs to her, and surveillance cameras captured some movement at around 2 a.m. Sunday, but the visuals were too unclear to identify anyone.

By 11:15 a.m. PT on Friday, authorities hadn’t named any suspects or persons of interest but emphasized that no one is being ruled out in the investigation. The FBI is currently offering a $50,000 reward for information that could lead to Nancy’s safe return.

Authorities revealed that Nancy had dinner with her daughter, Annie, and son-in-law, Tommaso Sioni, the night prior to her disappearance. Sioni was reportedly the last known person to see her. While some reports have suggested that he is the prime suspect, the Pima County Sheriff’s Office urged caution regarding these unverified claims, stressing that no family members have been confirmed as suspects.

FBI agents have been seen visiting the home of Mr. Cioni and Annie Guthrie, but the nature of their visit hasn’t been made public.

“Please do the right thing,” said FBI Special Agent Heiss Janke. “This is an 84-year-old grandma who needs important medication for her health. There’s still time to do the right thing before this becomes an even worse scenario for you. Please bring Nancy home.”

The ransom note lacked any proof of Nancy’s survival and didn’t provide updates on her condition; instead, it included personal details about her home to lend credibility. Janke pointed out that in a typical kidnapping case, one would expect ongoing communication regarding the ransom.

Recently, Savannah Guthrie, Nancy’s youngest daughter, with help from the FBI, posted an emotional video appealing to the kidnappers for confirmation that her mother is alive and safe. In the video, she expressed the family’s urgent need for information, stating, “We want to hear from you and we’re ready to hear from you.”

After the initial deadline passed, Savannah’s brother made another plea for contact from the kidnappers, reiterating their plea for Nancy’s safe return.

The family has emphasized the serious nature of Nancy’s health situation due to her need for daily medication. Described as “sharp as a tack,” she also has limited mobility and relies on a pacemaker.

Nancy was last seen on the night of January 31 when her son-in-law drove her home from a family dinner. However, the next morning, the doorbell camera had been disconnected, raising suspicion. A few hours later, her pacemaker lost contact, and when she missed church that Sunday, concerned members alerted her family, who then reported her missing around noon. By the following day, authorities had begun to treat her home as a potential crime scene.