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By Hannah Parry and Joshua Rhett Miller
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Newsweek has obtained two ransom notes that were sent to the media following the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, as investigators seek new leads nearly six months after she was last seen.
Authorities have said that the letters, along with newly released doorbell camera footage showing an unidentified man near Guthrie's home, could help identify the person or people responsible for her disappearance.
Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, disappeared from her home in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson, Arizona, on February 1. Authorities said she was last seen the previous evening and believe she was taken from her home in what they are investigating as a possible kidnapping.
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The Pima County Sheriff's Department and FBI's Phoenix Field Office have since conducted an extensive investigation to determine what happened to Nancy Guthrie.
On Saturday, Savannah shared a photo of her mother as she begged anyone with any information about Nancy's disappearance to come forward.
"This is our beautiful Mom," she wrote in the post on Instagram. "Six months ago, someone took her out of her bed in the dead of night. We have lived every moment, every breath, and every heartbeat in agony and despair ever since. Every day, we wake up and try to be strong and go on - because that’s what our joyful and resilient Mom taught us to do. But make no mistake - our hearts are in ruins. Cam and Kristine, Annie and Tommy, Mike and me - we spend every waking moment thinking of her, longing for her, looking for her. There is a hole inside us that can never be filled.
"We are begging for help. We are desperate" she continued. "We need someone to come forward. Someone knows something. Someone suspects something. Someone recognizes the writing in the ransom demand notes. Someone has noticed something different, strange, troubling or just unusual - perhaps with someone they deeply love. Perhaps they are afraid to come forward. Perhaps they are conflicted. Perhaps they are angry or upset for being in this situation. There is a way out - to tell what you know. You can do so anonymously. The reward is available. There is a way to end this situation and do the right thing.... Please. Bring her home."
Savannah also criticized anyone following the story for "entertainment or for profit."
"You are not on her side - you are part of the harm perpetrated against her," she warned.
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First Ransom Note
According to investigators, the first ransom note was received by a local television station on February 2. The message claimed Nancy Guthrie had been kidnapped and demanded a $4 million Bitcoin payment.
The note read in full:
"Hello Savannah,
We have your mother Nancy. She is safe but scared. She will be held for ransom and once payment is received she will be released unharmed. We will be holding her for a maximum of 7 days. You will need to send bitcoin in the amount of $4 million USD before 5PM on Thursday the 5th. If payment is not received, the ransom will be increased to 6 million USD which will need to be paid by 5PM on Monday the 9th. Once payment is received to the bitcoin address below she will be released within 12 hours of deposit to a safe drop off location back in Tucson. If payment is not received by the last deadline on Monday the 9th at 5PM, she will be killed. Your mother is aware of this and her life is in your hands. It is in the best interest of everyone to have this completed as soon as possible. You will not be able to contact me from here on out, there will be no negotiation. Do not play games, law enforcement will not be able to help you.
She had a white smart watch on the floor of the foot of her bed and the white flood light in backyard was destroyed."
Authorities have not confirmed whether the claims made in the note are true.
Second Ransom Note
A second message was sent to media organizations on February 6. Unlike the first, it claimed Nancy Guthrie had died shortly after being taken.
The second note stated:
"Guthrie Family,
We did not fully grasp the seriousness of her physical condition. We never intended to hurt her, that was not our intention. She perished shortly after she was taken. We believe it was heart related. She is buried in nature now. Nothing you could have done could have changed the outcome. We want your family to know this and hope you call can find peace. We are truly sorry."
Investigators have emphasized that these statements remain unverified and should not be interpreted as confirmation of Guthrie's fate.
Authorities Seek Public Assistance
Detectives believe the author of the notes may be identifiable through their distinctive writing style, including word choice, grammar, syntax and recurring phrases.
Officials say a friend, relative, coworker or acquaintance may recognize these linguistic patterns and provide information that could help identify the writer.
The sheriff's department is also asking the public to consider whether anyone they know displayed unusual behavior around the time Guthrie disappeared, including:
- Sudden mood or personality changes.
- Changes in physical appearance, such as new haircuts or facial hair.
- Unexplained cuts, bruises or other injuries.
- Missing work, school or appointments.
- Leaving the area unexpectedly.
- Cleaning or repairing a vehicle.
- An unusual interest in—or avoidance of—Nancy Guthrie's neighborhood or the investigation.
Authorities continue to encourage homeowners in the surrounding area to submit any surveillance footage that may assist investigators.
Rewards Exceed $1.2 Million
Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI or Southern Arizona's 88-CRIME tip line. Officials note that tips can be submitted anonymously.
A combined reward of more than $1.2 million is being offered for information that helps solve the case, including $100,000 from the FBI, $102,500 from 88-CRIME and $1 million from the Guthrie family.
As the investigation continues, authorities hope the release of the ransom notes and surveillance footage will encourage someone with critical information to come forward.
When Did Nancy Guthrie Go Missing?
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the evening of January 31 at her Tucson home. Investigators believe she was taken in a possible kidnapping the following day.
Investigators said evidence from the home, including blood that matched Nancy Guthrie’s DNA and surveillance footage showing a masked individual near the residence, led them to treat the case as an abduction rather than a voluntary disappearance. Authorities also said a person was seen tampering with the home’s doorbell camera before Nancy disappeared.
The investigation gained national attention after alleged ransom communications were sent to media outlets. In the first note released by authorities, the writer claimed Nancy had been taken and demanded $4 million in cryptocurrency for her return. A second note later claimed Nancy had died after being taken, but authorities have not confirmed that claim and continue to search for answers about her whereabouts.
Is Nancy Guthrie Alive? What We Know
Authorities have not confirmed whether Nancy Guthrie is alive. Six months after her disappearance, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and FBI continue to investigate the case, while urging anyone who recognizes details from the ransom notes or the writer’s language to contact investigators.
The uncertainty has been fueled by conflicting messages attributed to someone claiming responsibility for her disappearance. The first ransom note said Nancy was being held and demanded payment for her release. A later note claimed she had died shortly after being taken because of an unexpected health issue and said she had been buried “in nature.” Investigators have not publicly verified those claims.
Authorities have said the ransom notes contain distinctive wording and linguistic patterns that could help identify the person who wrote them. The sheriff’s department released the notes publicly in hopes that someone might recognize the language, phrases or writing style of the author.
Savannah Guthrie and her family have continued to appeal for information about Nancy’s whereabouts. A reward has been offered for information leading to her recovery, and investigators have said the case remains active.
When Did Savannah Guthrie Return to the 'Today' Show?
Savannah Guthrie stepped away from her duties on Today following her mother’s disappearance as she focused on her family and the investigation. She later returned to NBC’s morning program on April 6, after a roughly two-month absence.
Her return came as the search for Nancy continued. NBC reportedly put procedures in place to handle any breaking developments involving the investigation while Guthrie was on air, allowing the network to cover major updates while protecting her ability to work.
Since returning, Guthrie has continued to speak publicly about her mother’s disappearance and has urged anyone with information to come forward. The case remains unresolved as investigators continue analyzing evidence, including the ransom notes released in July.
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