TUCSON, Ariz. (AP/Flag Family News) – Former West Fargo Police Chief and 2014 Bison Hall of Fame inductee Heith Janke is leading the FBI’s investigation into finding 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today Show Host Savannah Guthrie.
Janke is the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Phoenix office. He graduated from North Dakota State University in 1999 and was the 1998 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field National Champion in the 800 meters with a time of 1:48.51. Janke was named West Fargo Police Chief in July 2017 after spending nearly 13 years with the FBI. He resigned to go back to the FBI in April 2020.
At a press conference on Thursday, February 5, investigators released a more detailed timeline from the hours after Guthrie was last seen Saturday night, and said they are taking seriously a ransom note sent to a handful of media outlets.
The note included a demand for money with a deadline set for Thursday evening and a second one for Monday if the first deadline wasn’t met, Janke said. The note also had details about a floodlight at Guthrie’s home and an Apple watch.
“To anyone who may be involved, do the right thing. This is an 84-year-old grandma,” Janke said.
The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to Guthrie being found and/or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.
Janke said one person has been arrested for an imposter ransom demand.
