NANCY Guthrie’s abductors have allegedly demanded $6 million in exchange for her safe return.
It comes as FBI agents have decoded hidden messages in the latest video released by Savannah and her siblings begging for her release and saying “we will pay”.
Local TV station KGUN 9 in Tucson, Arizona, where the 84-year-old was snatched from her bed last weekend, reported that her alleged kidnappers asked for $6 million in exchange for her life.
The outlet has since added an editors note to the initial report clarifying that “law enforcement has not confirmed the ransom amount referenced in the letter”.
The alleged ransom note received by the news station requested payment by 5pm on Monday and threatened Nancy’s life if the deadline goes unmet.
The outlet highlighted that it is one of several ransom notes that have been issued to the family and to local news stations.
Their report came hours after the Today Show host released a video on her Instagram on Saturday afternoon.
Nancy’s three children held hands as Savannah made the announcement alongside sister Annie and brother Camron.
She said in the short video: “We received your message, and we understand.
“We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her.
“This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.”
It is unclear which ransom note the Guthries were responding to.
MESSAGE DECODED
Meanwhile, former FBI agents have decoded the messages contained in the family’s video as they offer an insight into events taking place behind the scenes.
Dr. Bryanna Fox, now a criminology professor at the University of South Florida, told The Daily Mail how investigators and the family have to treat each ransom note as legitimate “because the risk associated with not doing so is too great”.
But she revealed how the latest video displays a change from previous pleas made to Guthrie’s alleged captors with Saturday’s video being just 22 seconds long compared to almost four minutes.
Fox explains that this points to a line of communication having been opened with the alleged abductors.
“The fact they are now negotiating and willing to engage means they believe there is some validity behind [the notes],” she told The Mail.
“They aren’t asking for proof of life anymore, they’re only speaking to the ransomer.
“That shows there was something in the most recent ransom note [received Friday night] that changed the way they’re responding, at least for now.”
“In four days, they have moved from an emotional plea, to a proof-of-life demand, to a public offer to pay,” Ex-FBI agent Jason Pack added.
“Every step was designed to keep the line of communication open and lower every possible barrier to Nancy’s safe return.”
He went on to analyse the unusual choice of words by Savannah and her siblings, especially with the words “celebrate” and “beg”.
“The word ‘celebrate’ stood out to me immediately. Savannah didn’t say ‘surrender her’ or ‘give her back’. She said return her so we can ‘celebrate’. That’s the language of resolution, not confrontation,” Pack said.
“In any negotiation, you want to offer the other party a way to see this ending positively and peacefully for them too.”
Meanwhile, he sees the use of the word “beg” as a sign that “communication is happening” as the investigation enters “the most critical window”.
Pack added that the family saying “we will pay” is a “deliberate strategic concession” indicating that the family and investigators are taking it seriously and want to keep communicating.
At a press conference on Thursday, the FBI said that while they “advise and recommend” what to do regarding a ransom, “any action taken on is ultimately decided by the family”.
SISTER’S HOUSE SEARCHED
Hours after their response was posted on Instagram, investigators were seen at Annie Guthrie’s home around 8:30 pm local time where they stayed for about two hours.
According to Fox News Digital, officers were seen carrying a white case and a grocery-size brown bag out to their unmarked car as the investigation enters its second week.
Officers also appeared to take pictures in the garage with flashes seen from inside the home.
It is not clear if anyone is currently living there and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department has not commented on if any members of the Guthrie family have been ruled out as suspects in her disappearance.
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