CNN and Tucson's KGUN News reported a purported ransom note sent to KGUN last week demanded that Nancy Guthrie's family pay a $6 million ransom by 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9.
Authorities have not said whether they were taking that letter to KGUN seriously or whether they think it could be authentic.
KGUN emphasized in an article on its website that investigators also had not confirmed the dollar figure it included.
The station reported the letter contained a threat on the missing woman's life.
An X post about the details from the note has since been deleted.
This comes as the Pima County Sheriff's Department said Sunday that investigators still had not identified any suspects, persons of interest, or vehicles connected to the case.
The department said it will maintain a presence at Guthrie's house for security purposes, at the family's request.
Detectives and agents continue to conduct follow-up investigation at multiple locations but will not release details, the sheriff's department said.
Guthrie, a retired University of Arizona communications professional known for community leadership, is believed to have been abducted in the early morning hours Feb. 1 from her longtime home near North Campbell Avenue and East Skyline Drive, authorities have said.
Her adult children said Saturday they would pay ransom for her return.
NBC "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie, holding hands with her sister Annie and brother Camron in a video posted to her Instagram account Saturday afternoon, said "we will pay" after receiving a message purported to be from a kidnapper or kidnappers.
"We received your message and we understand," Savannah Guthrie said in the brief video. "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."
A spokesman for the FBI office in Phoenix, Kevin Smith, told the Associated Press she was referring to a message sent Friday to Tucson television station KOLD.
The alleged ransom message was one of several sent to media outlets during the week and forwarded to the Sheriff's Department and the FBI. Investigators have said at least one message contained information not widely known to the public.
They have not said what monetary figure was demanded, nor what was threatened if the deadlines stated in one note — Thursday, Feb. 4, and Monday, Feb. 9 — were not met.
Savannah Guthrie and her mom, Nancy, are shown on NBC's "Today" show in 2019 in New York.
Separately from the ransom note(s) being taken seriously, a fake ransom demand sent to two Guthrie family members resulted in the arrest of a California man, authorities said Thursday.
In other updates Sunday:
• The Arizona Republic, citing reporting by Fox News and ABC 15, reported that investigators pulled off a manhole cover, apparently for a septic tank or similar system, at Nancy Guthrie's house on Sunday.
Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Angelica Carrillo said she could not confirm details of the activity because the investigation is active, The Republic said.
• At a service Sunday at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, where Nancy Guthrie attended for many years, the congregation prayed for her and lead pastor Rev. Dr. John Tittle spoke about forgiveness, The Republic reported.
“Right now, we are heartbroken about the inhumanity and the evil done to Nancy and her family. What do we do?” Tittle said, going on to address the challenge of "the journey of forgiveness."
• Digital billboards showing Nancy Guthrie are now up in Houston, NBC affiliate KPRC-TV there reported, citing information from FBI Houston.
El Paso, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Dallas and Albuquerque will also get digital billboards related to the search as the FBI expands the search, the station reported. It said Tucson will not get them because of lack of infrastructure for digital billboards.
Investigators urge anyone with information about the Guthrie case to call 1-800-CALL-FBI. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie's recovery and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.
A Pima County sheriff's vehicle parked out front of Nancy Guthrie’s home on Sunday, Feb. 8.
