Savannah Guthrie’s Mom Nancy: ‘Code Word’ Used in Message to Captor, Retired FBI Agent Says

She added, “This is very valuable to us, and we will pay,” writing in the caption, “Bring her home.”

In the wake of Savannah’s video message, Jason Pack, a retired FBI special agent and crisis negotiator, spoke with the Daily Mail about the Today star using a particular word in her newest message to Nancy’s captor.

“The word ‘celebrate’ stood out to me immediately. Savannah didn’t say ‘surrender her’ or ‘give her back,'” Pack explained. ” She said return her so we can ‘celebrate’. That’s the language of resolution, not confrontation.”

He continued, “In any negotiation, you want to offer the other party a way to see this ending positively and peacefully for them too.”

Additionally, Pack pointed out, “the most dangerous moments come when communication breaks down. The Guthries are doing everything they can to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Don Arnold/WireImage via Getty Images

Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie‘s mom, Nancy Guthrie, 84, was still missing eight days after the abduction from the Tucson, Ariz., home—and Savannah reportedly used a “code word” in her latest video message to the captor.

On Saturday, Feb. 7, Savannah took to Instagram with a video alongside her sister, Annie Guthrie, and brother, Camron Guthrie, and a chilling message to their 84-year-old mother’s kidnapper.

“We received your message, and we understand,” Savannah in the clip. “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.”

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) has been searching for Nancy since Feb. 1; she was last seen on the evening of Saturday, Jan. 31, at her home. The PCSD declared her Tucson residence a crime scene, concluding that she had been “taken” from her residence “against her will.” Law enforcement also confirmed that the blood discovered at Nancy’s home belonged to her.

Since the search began, investigators have returned to Savannah’s mom’s home several times, including with K9 units. Nancy has still not been found following multiple alleged ransom notes and her family sending public video messages to the captors. One ransom note has a deadline of Monday, Feb. 9 at 5 p.m. and a staggering monetary demand.

On Feb. 7, an agent was spotted carrying a “silver briefcase” inside Nancy’s home. A video of a vehicle of interest was also submitted to law enforcement, in addition to agents finding a camera on the roof of Nancy’s home. The FBI also made a strategic move across several states as the search continues.