Savannah Guthrie Mom Missing

The family of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie is renewing their plea for their mother’s kidnapper to contact them. Guthrie's brother, Camron, posted a second plea on social media Thursday on behalf of the family. The message came hours after Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said investigators don’t have proof 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie is alive but believe “she’s still out there.” Nanos says authorities have not identified any suspects or persons of interest five days into the desperate search. Investigators say they are taking seriously notes seeking ransom that were sent to some media outlets.

Savannah Guthrie made a heart-wrenching plea for “proof of life” of her 84-year-old mother. And in this digital age, the NBC “Today” co-anchor says she knows that voices and images can be manipulated. At least three news organizations have reported receiving purported ransom notes about Nancy Guthrie that they handed over to investigators. As technology has advanced, some have grown savvy and used it to their benefit, confusing police and the public and masking their identities. A former FBI agent says “it just adds to the other shoe-leather work” of solving crimes.