NBC presenter Savannah Guthrie has publicly appealed for help to find her 84 year old mother, Nancy Guthrie, six months after she disappeared from her home in Tucson, Arizona.
The appeal came one day after investigators released two contradictory notes attributed to the alleged kidnappers, with one message claiming the missing woman is alive and the other stating she has died.
Nancy Guthrie vanished from her residence in the American Southwest during the night of February 1. Despite high public interest and the involvement of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, authorities have made no progress in locating her.
Savannah Guthrie, who co-anchors the NBC 'Today' broadcast, took to social media on Saturday to mark the half year since her mother disappeared. The 'Today' programme is one of the most widely watched morning news shows in the United States, and the case has generated national attention.
Sharing a message on behalf of her entire family, the journalist said they have lived in a state of anguish and uncertainty with no news of her whereabouts.
She said it has been especially difficult for her relatives to maintain their strength over the past six months. The family is trying to face each day by following the teachings of her mother, whom she described as a resilient and joyful person, but she admitted the pain of her absence remains enormous.
The family is maintaining hope of finding a clue that will clarify what happened that night and reveal where Nancy Guthrie is.
Contradictory messages released
The release of the two messages by investigators has added further uncertainty to the case. Authorities are currently analysing the notes, which offer completely different scenarios regarding the 84 year old's fate.
In the first note, the authors claim Nancy Guthrie is under their control and is doing well.
The second note outlines a different scenario, claiming she died shortly after the alleged abduction. According to this message, she passed away due to a possible cardiac issue and her remains were left in a natural environment.
The ongoing investigation has kept the family in suspense, but has not yet allowed police to determine what actually happened to the presenter's mother. The FBI frequently assists local police forces in complex kidnapping and missing persons cases across the country.
Family appeals for information
Faced with the lack of progress, relatives have insisted that any detail could be decisive in advancing the case.
Their appeal is directed particularly at anyone who might recognise elements of the released notes. They are also seeking to reach anyone who has information about Nancy Guthrie's movements, or who has heard any comments related to her disappearance.
The family has asked anyone who might know something to contact investigators. They expressed their conviction that someone could have the clue needed to break the deadlock in the investigation and help locate Nancy Guthrie.
