By Jack Phillips
The White House and President Donald Trump both commented on the search for “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, saying that the FBI is still working on the case.
There were anonymously sourced reports on Thursday and Friday claiming there were tensions between the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, which the sheriff has since denied, regarding the sharing of evidence between the sheriff’s office and the federal agency.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who was asked about those reports, told Fox News on Friday that “the FBI, in order to take over the investigation, would of course need the local authorities to hand it over to them.”
FBI Director Kash Patel, she added, told her that “the FBI has been on the ground” and is involved in the case and that the federal government is providing resources “to help local authorities bring this case to an end, to bring Nancy Guthrie home.”
Nancy Guthrie, 84, went missing on Jan. 31 and was reported missing the next day, as local officials have said they believe she was abducted against her will. They’ve also warned that she needs medication to live and has trouble getting around.
So far, no suspects have been named in the case, although the FBI this week provided video footage of a person wanted for questioning in the case.
In a press gathering at the White House on Friday, Trump was asked by reporters about whether Mexican cartels were involved in Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.
“You can’t say that yet,” Trump responded. “It’s a little bit early.”
“Somebody either knew what they were doing very well or they were rank amateurs,” the president said. “Either way, it’s not a good situation.”
Hours before her family knew she was gone, a porch camera recorded video of a person with a backpack who was wearing a ski mask, long pants, jacket, and gloves. Images and footage of the individual were released by the FBI along with a public plea for help.
The video, which was sourced from the doorbell camera, showed the individual appearing to tamper with the camera. Whether authorities recovered more footage in the case is not known.
The FBI on Thursday said the person, now a suspect, is a man about 5 feet, 9 inches to 5 feet, 10 inches tall with a medium build. The agency also named the brand and model of the backpack, describing it as an Ozark Trail Hiker Pack.
“Our hearts break every day that this goes on, and again, the FBI is on the ground wanting to assist in any way that they can,” Leavitt told Fox News on Friday.
“And they have. You saw last night, Director Patel and the FBI released additional information and photo evidence. They have also upped the reward for anyone who comes forward with the suspect,” Leavitt added. “And of course, they have the FBI tip line, which they are actively working to work through any credible tips that can lead to a closure in this horrific case.”
The FBI is now offering a $100,000 reward, up from $50,000 a week ago, for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect involved in the case or information about Nancy Guthrie’s whereabouts, it said on social media Thursday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
