Investigators believe the missing mother of US news anchor Savannah Guthrie is "still out there" but they have not identified any suspects, a sheriff in Arizona has said.
Revealing new details from the investigation at a press conference, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed reports that DNA tests determined that blood found on the porch steps at the front door to the home came from Nancy Guthrie.
"Right now, we believe Nancy is still out there. We want her home," Mr Nanos said at a news conference five days after she was reported missing. The sheriff, however, acknowledged that authorities have no proof she is still alive.
Investigators gave a more detailed timeline from the hours after she was last seen Saturday night, and said they are taking seriously a ransom note sent to a handful of media outlets.
The note included a demand for money with a deadline set for Thursday evening, and a second one for Monday, if the first deadline was not met, said Heith Janke, the FBI chief in Phoenix. The note also had details about a floodlight at Ms Guthrie’s home and an Apple watch.
"To anyone who may be involved, do the right thing. This is an 84-year-old grandma," Mr Janke said.
The missing woman's son, Camron Guthrie, posted a video message pleading for his mother's safe return.
"Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you," he said on Instagram.
"We haven't heard anything directly. We need you to reach out and we need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward. But first we have to know that you have our mom."
Watch: FBI Special Agent Heith Janke gives an update on search for Nancy Guthrie
Authorities say any decision on ransom demands is ultimately up to the family. However, there has been no response to their plea so far, Mr Janke said.
The Today host grew up in Tucson, graduated from the University of Arizona and previously worked as a reporter and anchor at Tucson television station KVOA.
Her parents settled in Tucson in the 1970s when she was a young child. The youngest of three siblings, she credits her mother with holding their family together after her father died of a heart attack at 49, when Savannah was just 16.
Source: Associated Press
