‘New message’ in case of US TV host’s missing mother

Detectives searching for the elderly mother of US television journalist Savannah Guthrie in Arizona are examining a new message in the alleged kidnapping case.

News of the message came days after an alleged ransom note was sent to media outlets and a day after relatives of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie renewed their call for her captor to contact the family directly “so we can move forward.”

The first of two deadlines set in the ransom letter came and went early Thursday evening, according to law enforcement officials. A second deadline has been set for next Monday.

Authorities did not specify the nature of the latest communication, its contents or where it was received, but the FBI and sheriff’s department said in a joint statement that investigators were “actively reviewing the accuracy of the information provided in the message.”

The statement said nothing else about the message, other than calling it “new information” in the investigation.

The elder Guthrie was last seen Jan. 31 when family members dropped him off at his home near Tucson after having dinner with him, and relatives reported him missing the next day, authorities said.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said the woman was in poor health, had extremely limited mobility and was unable to leave her home without assistance, leading investigators to prematurely conclude that the woman had been abducted.

Her daughter, who has been a co-anchor of NBC’s morning news program Today since 2012, posted an online video Wednesday pleading for her mother’s safe return and calling on her alleged kidnappers to open a line of communication with the family.

Nancy Guthrie’s son, Camron Guthrie, posted a second video Thursday evening, as the ransom deadline neared 5 p.m., demanding proof “that you have our mother” while reiterating the family’s desire to make direct contact with the kidnappers.

On Thursday, five days after the search began, investigators had yet to obtain evidence of life or identify a suspect or “person of interest,” Nanos told reporters, adding that authorities were operating under the assumption he was still alive.

On Friday, the sheriff’s department said detectives returned to “conduct surveillance at the home and surrounding neighborhood” and restricted traffic in front of the residence to facilitate access for investigators.