Guthrie Family Offers Ransom in Tucson Kidnapping Case (Full Transcript)

[00:00:00] Speaker 1: American news anchor Savannah Guthrie has confirmed her family will pay for their mother's safe return. She was speaking in a new video on social media in relation to the apparent kidnapping of their mother. 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home in Tucson just over a week ago. Police say they're continuing their search and are tracking down vehicles seen on surveillance cameras. Savannah Guthrie says she's ready to pay for her release.

[00:00:28] Speaker 2: 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.

[00:00:47] Speaker 1: North America correspondent David Willis sent this report from Tucson.

[00:00:52] Speaker 3: Savannah Guthrie is the host of NBC's morning show and a household name here in the United States. Just over a week ago her 84-year-old mother Nancy disappeared from the house just behind me north of Tucson in Arizona. That disappearance was swiftly followed by a ransom demand for millions of dollars in bitcoin in return for the safe release of Nancy Guthrie. Now at first the family were doubting whether this ransom demand was genuine. They issued a video statement during the week calling for proof of life as they put it. Now it appears they are satisfied that those who claim to be holding 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie are indeed doing so. And last night Savannah Guthrie flanked by her brother Cameron and her sister Annie issued a brief very emotional statement. Basically saying to her captors we will pay the ransom. Well that original ransom demand included two deadlines. One of which has now passed. That was last Thursday. The next falls due on Monday and is said to be by officials here more consequential as they put it. As for local police, law enforcement and FBI there has so far been no comment on these latest developments.

[00:02:25] Speaker 1: That was David Willis reporting there from Tucson.