Nancy Guthrie’s final ransom deadline passes as stricken daughter Savannah marks ‘hour of despair’
The doomsday deadline of 7pm ET for Nancy Guthrie’s family to pay $6 million to the criminals they say is holding her came and went Monday — as the TV star’s daughter Savannah issued a new plea for help.
“We are in a desperate hour,” the “Today” star said in an Instagram video Monday afternoon — three hours before the deadline for her 84-year-old mother Nancy’s captors to post a ransom note after she disappeared in Arizona more than a week ago.
The critical deadline passed with no sign that the ransom had been paid or evidence that the ailing grandmother was still alive – leaving her future in question.
The Bitcoin account given to the kidnappers showed zero balance and zero transactions.
The so-called kidnappers said that Nancy would be in danger if they did not pay within the stipulated time.
The FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department have not yet confirmed whether the ransom note is genuine or the work of a fraudster, but with no other known leads to go forward, Guthrie’s family and police are treating it as genuine business.
However, former FBI agents continue to express doubts about the authenticity of the ransom demand – which refers to Nancy’s Apple Watch and the flood light in her home.
“I highly doubt this,” former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker told Fox News’ “The Big Weekend Show” on Sunday.
He added: “If this was a kidnapping, it would be a very easy matter to prove and provide proof of life.
“You have to admit that this could have been something or other than kidnapping.”
Savannah and her siblings – Annie and Cameron – even released a video on Saturday telling the kidnappers that they are ready to pay.
The latest video on Monday revealed the growing despair as Nancy – who has serious heart and mobility problems – has been missing for the ninth day.
“We believe our mother is still out,” Savannah said. “We don’t know where he was taken.
“I’m just coming to ask not only for your prayers, but no matter where you are—or if you’re far from Tucson—if you see anything, if you hear anything, if there’s anything strange to you, to report it to law enforcement,” he said.
“We need your help,” he added.
Follow The Post’s live updates on Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother
Nancy has not been seen since Jan. 31 when her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, dropped her off at his home in Tucson after having dinner with him and Annie.
It was reported that he disappeared the next day before he came to church on Sunday, and the police quickly decided to investigate after finding signs of struggle in his home.
The same ransom notes were shown on three news channels on Monday and Tuesday and set two deadlines for different demands – $4 million paid in bitcoin last Thursday at 7 pm EST, or $6 million to be paid on Monday at 7 pm EST, or 5 pm Arizona time.
The note did not provide life evidence or photos of Nancy but described details about the crime scene in an apparent attempt to confirm its authenticity.
Here’s the latest on Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother
And it said Nancy would be in jeopardy if Monday’s deadline passed without payment.
The alleged kidnappers then kept quiet – until Friday when a second message was allegedly sent.
The contents of the letter are unclear, but it included a description of Nancy stressing that she could be hurt if the Monday deadline passes without payment, NBC News reported.
Police are likely to spend the final hours before Monday’s deadline continuing their work so far trying to find a lead that could crack the case and save Nancy, legal experts told The Post.
“They’re going to go back to a lot of their previous sources, they’re going to interview individuals, they’re going to look at all the cameras that we have in buildings, at intersections, things like that,” said former SWAT Cmdr. Bob Krygier, who used to work with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department led the search for Nancy.
“I make sure they follow all the leads they are given,” said Krygierl.
