Investigators have disclosed two notes connected to the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie from her Tucson home in February. Despite six months of search efforts by federal and local law enforcement, the 84-year-old mother of Savannah Guthrie, co-host of the “Today” show, remains unlocated.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has now made the ransom letters public in a bid to generate new leads in the high-profile case. Earlier, news outlets, including The Times, published portions of the notes. The full release aims to encourage individuals with knowledge to come forward.
The Sheriff’s Department stated, “Sometimes, individuals may hesitate to share information due to relationships or concerns about their safety or reputation. We acknowledge that loyalty can change, and it is never too late to provide information. Whether you think we know it or not, please contact us.”
The first note, addressed to Savannah Guthrie and sent shortly after Nancy’s disappearance on February 1, demanded $4 million in bitcoin by February 5. It warned that failure to meet this deadline would increase the demand to $6 million by February 9, stating that Nancy would be held for no more than seven days.
The note threatened, “Payment not received by the deadline will result in the death of your mother. She is aware, and her life is in your hands. Complete this quickly; law enforcement cannot assist you. There will be no negotiation.”
The FBI’s Phoenix office confirmed receipt of several ransom notes, stating that some might be legitimate, while others were mere extortion attempts. They verified the credibility of the released note due to specific details, such as references to a white smart watch and a broken floodlight at Guthrie’s residence.
A second note arrived as a tip to KOLD news, alleging that Guthrie had passed away due to heart issues and was now “buried in nature.” The note expressed regret, stating, “We never intended to hurt her. She perished shortly after we took her, and nothing could have changed that. We hope your family can find peace.”
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has reiterated the release of these notes to the Guthrie family, underscoring the urgency of the search. Nancy was last seen being dropped off at her home on January 31, and doorbell cameras recorded an armed, masked suspect outside her home on her disappearance day. The FBI identified this individual as a suspect.
Investigators have made detentions and conducted searches, while the Guthrie family continues to appeal for information. Recently, Savannah Guthrie urged people to come forward in a social media video, stressing, “The world can be a difficult place, but it is never too late to do the right thing. Help us bring this situation to an end.”