<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Investigators believe the missing mother of US television anchor Savannah Guthrie is "still out there," but they have not identified any suspects, a sheriff in Arizona said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos also said DNA tests showed blood found on Nancy Guthrie's porch came back a match to her. Authorities think she was taken from her home in Tucson against her will over the weekend.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Right now, we believe Nancy is still out there. We want her home," Nanos said at a news conference on Thursday, five days after she was reported missing.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/new-data-suggests-number-of-australians-living-with-dementia-set-to-rise/742f7820-4d50-436a-8c9e-9010ff27b472" rel="" target="_blank" title="New data suggests number of Australians living with dementia set to rise"><strong><span>New data suggests number of Australians living with dementia set to rise</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The sheriff, however, acknowledged that authorities have no proof she is still alive.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A day earlier, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings released a message to her mother's kidnapper, saying they are ready to talk but want proof their mum is still alive. However, there has been no public sign of a response.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In the heart-wrenching video posted on social media, Savannah Guthrie acknowledged hearing media reports about a ransom letter sent to multiple news outlets.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/us-journalist-savannah-guthrie-mother-still-out-there-says-sheriff/8e825442-ab44-42b4-9950-5e5032d8682d" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Investigators are taking the ransom note seriously, said Heith Janke, the FBI chief in Phoenix, who noted it included a demand for money with a deadline along with details about a flood light at the home and an Apple watch.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"To anyone who may be involved, do the right thing. This is an 84-year-old grandma," Janke said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Authorities say that any decision on ransom demands ultimately is up to the family.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bunnings-wins-right-to-use-facial-recognition-technology-in-stores/60c8ba2c-865f-410d-922c-4714010c01e7" target="" title="Bunnings wins right to use facial recognition CCTV in stores"><strong><span>Bunnings wins right to use facial recognition CCTV in stores</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><span>The search for Nancy Guthrie</span></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Guthrie was last seen the previous Saturday night when she was dropped off at her Tucson home by family after having dinner with them, the sheriff's department said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She was reported missing about 14 hours later on Sunday after she didn't show up at a church.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Guthrie has limited mobility, and officials don't believe she left on her own. A sheriff's official said during the search on Sunday that Guthrie has high blood pressure, a pacemaker and heart issues, according to audio from broadcastify.com.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The neighbourhood's desert terrain can make looking for people difficult, said Jim Mason, longtime commander of a search-and-rescue team in Maricopa County that isn't involved in the search. He said it can be hard to see into areas dense with mesquite trees, cholla cactus and desert brush.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Some of it is so thick you can't drive through it," Mason said. His team was not involved in the search.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/medical-workers-robbed-child-of-chance-at-survival-max-mckenzie/9f18b918-878b-4b10-81c4-ebb82e0641aa" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Medical workers 'robbed' child of chance at survival, grieving parents say</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><span>Purported ransom notes</span></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>At least three media organisations have reported receiving purported ransom notes that they handed over to investigators.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A note emailed on Monday to the KOLD-TV newsroom in Tucson included information that only the abductor would know, anchor Mary Coleman told CNN. It also included a dollar amount and a deadline, she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"When we saw some of those details, it was clear after a couple of sentences that this might not be a hoax," she said in an interview on Wednesday.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In her family's video message, Savannah Guthrie said they were "ready to talk."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated," she 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."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><span>The Guthrie siblings' message to their mother</span></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Savannah Guthrie was emotional during the recording, with her voice cracking. She addressed her mother directly, saying the family was praying for her and that people were looking for her.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Mommy, if you are hearing this, you are a strong woman. You are God's precious daughter," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Savannah Guthrie described her mother as a "kind, faithful, loyal, fiercely loving woman of goodness and light" and said she was funny, spunky and clever.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Talk to her and you'll see," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Guthrie was flanked by her sister Annie and her brother Camron.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Mamma, If you're listening, we need you to come home. We miss you," Annie Guthrie said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h2><span>Nation prays for Nancy Guthrie</span></h2></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>US President Donald Trump posted on social media that he was directing federal authorities to help where they can, after the White House said he spoke with Savannah Guthrie on Wednesday.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A couple of hundred people prayed and placed lit candles on an altar during a vigil at a Tucson church.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Jeremy Thacker had tears in his eyes as he described the heartbreak and helplessness. He worked with Savannah Guthrie at an Arizona news station. They shared losing their fathers at a young age, and his own sister was kidnapped when he was young.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Thacker said he knew Nancy Guthrie to be sharp, grounded and earnest.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We're all holding our breath," Thacker said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>