...
By Khaleda Rahman
National Correspondent
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The details of a ransom note sent days after the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie suggested her kidnappers had “empathy” for her family, a former FBI agent told Newsweek.
The note, sent to TV station KOLD in Tucson, Arizona, said the 84-year-old died shortly after she disappeared from her home in the foothills just outside Tucson early this year, multiple news organizations reported.
The note, sent on February 6, contained no apology or request for payment for the release of her body but expressed regret over her passing, NBC News reported, citing three people familiar with the matter. An earlier note sent to KOLD on February 2 said Guthrie was safe and demanded cryptocurrency in exchange for her release. NBC News reported that investigators believe the notes are “potentially credible.”
Read More on News
CNN reported that the second note revealed that Guthrie, the mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, died shortly after her disappearance but that those who kidnapped her did not mean to kill her. And NewsNation’s Brian Entin reported that the second note said Guthrie was “buried with nature."
...
Jennifer Coffindaffer, a former FBI agent, told Newsweek that the details reinforce theories that Guthrie’s disappearance was a kidnapping for ransom that “went south when she died.”
She said the contents of the note revealed in news reports indicate that the person or people responsible for Guthrie’s abduction had “empathy” for her family.
“You’re seeing words that show some sort of empathy, that shows some sort of familiarization,” Coffindaffer said.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement to Newsweek: "The investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie remains active and ongoing.
”The Pima County Sheriff’s Department continues to work closely with the FBI as investigators follow up on leads, review information, and pursue the facts surrounding this case.”
Newsweek has reached out to the FBI for comment via email.
What Note Indicates
Coffindaffer noted how unusual it was for the abductors to inform Guthrie’s family about her death.
“They say this was an accident, implying they did not mean to kill her," she said. "And what ruthless kidnapper who only cares about money does that? I can't find another instance where…a kidnapper uses verbiage like this.
“In other words, keeping the people, the family, up to speed on what happened in this way. There's no reason to do that. There's no reason for the abductor to give details like this. They could just disappear, but they don't owe any sort of explanation, especially when the plot has already been foiled.”
She said the note’s contents also answer questions about how Savannah Guthrie spoke in videos addressed to those responsible for her mother's abduction.
After the second note was received, Savannah Guthrie posted a video on Instagram with her siblings on February 7, saying they would "pay" for her return.
“We received your message and we understand,” she said, seated alongside her brother, Camron, and sister, Annie. “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.”
What Note Doesn’t Reveal and Why
Coffindaffer said that the note reportedly mentioning that Guthrie is “buried in nature” is “poetic” and “soft” phrasing.
“They didn't say they threw her in the ground or they discarded her in the desert,” she said.
But she said that those responsible would be wary not to give up details that could help investigators working on the case.
“If they have this empathy and if they seem to care or have some connection, why didn’t they say where she was? Because I think dually they realize they can't let anyone know where this body is because it will implicate them,” she said.
“They will be figured out and they don't care that much to possibly give authorities the evidence they need.”
Savannah Guthrie Responds
Savannah Guthrie issued a renewed plea to the public for information about her mother after a report on the Today show about the contents of the note.
“This is unusual and unprecedented to say the least, to be sitting here…I don’t have any comment on this story, and I’m not involved in our coverage, but I can’t pretend I’m not here," she said.
“And so since I am, I want to just take the opportunity to ask people, to really to beg people to come forward. Somebody knows something, and this is a new story today that is on your radar, but this is the life that my sister lives, that I live, that my brother lives, that our extended families live, that our children live, every day. And we are in agony. And we cannot be at peace.
“No matter how much I try to come out here every day and smile and find that joy, and I will, I promise I will, this is a moment to tell you that we need your help. We’re begging for your help, and I’m not going to miss that opportunity. And so please if you’re watching, no matter how small, the reward is there. You can tell us, it can be anonymous. Please do the right thing for us, for our family, for our children. We love our mom and we’ll never stop looking for her, ever.”
Nancy Guthrie’s family is offering a $1 million reward for information that leads to her recovery. A separate reward of more than $200,000—including $100,000 from the FBI—is being offered for information about her whereabouts or that could lead to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.
View content
https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ7ah0WjcJr/
How Long Has Nancy Guthrie Been Missing?
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her Tucson, Arizona, home at around 9:30 p.m. on January 31 and reported missing the following day. Authorities believe she was kidnapped and said drops of her blood were found on the front porch.
In mid-February, the FBI released surveillance footage from a doorbell camera, showing a masked man, whom they called a suspect, outside Guthrie's front door on the night she disappeared.
The FBI described him as about 5-foot-9 or 5-foot-10 with an average build and said he was carrying a 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack.
Despite a massive search involving thousands of law enforcement officers and volunteers, there has been no sign of her since she was reported missing and authorities have yet to publicly identify a suspect or announce an arrest in the case.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines