American news anchor Savannah Guthrie has released a video message begging for her mother’s safe return and urging her captors to provide proof that she is still alive.
In a message posted to Instagram, the co-host of NBC’s Today show said: "We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please, reach out to us."
The appeal comes after Nancy Guthrie, 84, went missing from her home near Tucson, Arizona over the weekend.
Authorities believe she has been kidnapped, and FBI agents are assisting in the investigation, with crime-scene tape up around the property and investigators seen coming and going from the house yesterday.
The Pima County Sheriff's Office are looking to speak with anyone who had contact with Nancy Guthrie last weekend, and are yet to identify any suspect or person of interest in connection with the presumed abduction.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said that investigators were aware of reports of an alleged ransom note, which was sent to at least one media outlet, but he did not say whether those were being taken seriously.
He confirmed that authorities were using dogs, drones, helicopters and federal agents to search for the missing woman, who has limited mobility and could not have left her home unassisted.
Savannah Guthrie, 54, was joined by her sister Annie and brother Cameron in the video message.
The TV host said: "Mommy, if you are hearing this, you are a strong woman. Everyone is looking for you, mommy. Everywhere. We will not rest. Your children will not rest until we are together again."
She added: "We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her."
Officials have voiced concerns over Nancy Guthrie’s health, which is dependent on daily medication.
Savannah Guthrie said: “Our mom is our heart and our home. Her health, her heart is fragile. She lives in constant pain. She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive. She needs it not to suffer.”
US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he had spoken with Savannah Guthrie, and that he was directing all federal law enforcement to help bring the investigation to a close and "get her mother home safely".
He wrote: “We are deploying all resources to get her mother home safely. GOD BLESS AND PROTECT NANCY!”
Nancy Guthrie was last seen when she was dropped off at her home on January 31, when she was dropped off by relatives after having dinner together.
She was reported missing the following day when she did not attend church on Sunday morning, prompting members of her congregation to notify her family.
Detectives searched her home, finding a scene that caused "grave concern", according to Sheriff Nanos.
He added: “We do believe that Nancy was taken from her home against her will. And that's where we're at.”
Savannah Guthrie is one of the most famous faces in US media, having joined NBC in 2007 before being named co-anchor of NBC's Today show in 2012.
She had been due to co-host the channel’s coverage of the Opening Ceremony for the Winter Olympics in Milan on Friday, but withdrew following her mother's disappearance.
Her video garnered support from across the media landscape and Hollywood, and a historic church in Tucson has invited the community to gather to pray for Nancy Guthrie's safe return.
Savannah Guthrie said: "Our mom is a kind, faithful, loyal, fiercely loving woman of goodness and light. She's funny, spunky and clever. She has grandchildren that adore her and crowd around her and cover her with kisses. She loves fun and adventure. She is a devoted friend. She is full of kindness and knowledge. Talk to her and you'll see.”
