Nancy and Savannah Guthrie
Screenshot/Facebook

The search for Savannah Guthrie's 84-year-old mum, Nancy Guthrie, has been going on for weeks with no proof of life, leaving many wondering if she's doing well. Savannah, who has taken a leave of absence from her work since the disappearance of her mother, has been pleading with the public to share any information that could help locate her.

Fox News host Greg Gutfeld has recently suggested that Savannah take a polygraph test following Nancy's abduction. The political commentator and author's recommendation, however, did not sit well with social media users who found it insensitive.

Public Outcry Follows Insensitive Comments on the Five

The reaction across digital platforms was swift and largely condemnatory, with many viewers and media critics accusing Gutfeld of being 'ghoulish'. Viewers expressed outrage that a journalist facing a profound family crisis was being treated with suspicion on a national platform.

If Gutfeld was trying to be funny, it did not land well with many social media users. 'Gutfeld is a 2 bit failed comedian....not funny at all,' one wrote.

Another critic said Gutfeld 'went out of his way to be as inappropriate as possible' when discussing Nancy's abduction while slighting the host because Fox News has reportedly been covering the news.

'Greg Gutfeld kept joking about the details surrounding the alleged abduction of Nancy Guthrie,' the same X user wrote. 'He came across as a child jealous that someone else was getting attention. There's absolutely nothing funny about this horrific case.'

Many observers noted that such suggestions often serve to distract from the actual criminal investigation. However, the sentiment was not unanimous amongst the public.

Some Support Gutfeld's Call

Several supported Gutfeld's suggestion, with some saying there was nothing wrong with it. Some even believed it should have been done right after they realised Nancy was missing.

'Greg Gutfeld is a beacon of intelligence and clearly qualified to weigh in on this so this sounds like a tremendous idea,' one commented. Another added, 'I agree with Greg. This circus has gone on for far too long.'

Some speculated that the family was involved in Nancy's disappearance. One suggested that Savannah was probably 'covering for her sister'. Others believed that Savannah's sister, Annie, and brother-in-law were involved.

Gutfeld's Controversial Proposal

Gutfeld made the suggestion while talking with former NYPD inspector and now media commentator Paul Mauro. He said that he wanted to 'revisit my strategy to solving case'.

'That would be having... Savannah Guthrie, offer to do a polygraph, which will then put necessary pressure on others inside and outside the circle to do the same,' Gutfeld said. 'Since no one has been ruled out, it's one step forward in ruling in and anybody who says no or bristles looks unusual. What do you say to that?'

Mauro commented that, to his knowledge, the Guthries haven't taken the lie detector test yet. He added that he wasn't sure if they would hear about it if they had, given how things were going with the matter.

Ransom Deadline Passes

Earlier this week, Savannah's family received a ransom demand from an anonymous individual. They demanded £4.7 million ($6 million) in Bitcoin. However, there was no proof of life and the deadline passed without any update.

Police authorities believed it was a 'hoax' from someone who wanted to exploit the family. According to veteran FBI special agent Lance Leising, 'in legitimate ransom cases, ' kidnappers would make the demands immediately. However, it has been over a week since Nancy's disappearance when the family received the ransom demand.

Meanwhile, authorities recently revealed that significant blood clues were discovered at the scene where Nancy was last seen. Dr Michael Baden, a forensic pathologist, suggested she was probably bleeding during the abduction. This physical evidence has heightened fears for Nancy's safety as forensic teams continue to process the site for DNA evidence.