Nearly six months after 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her home in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI Phoenix Field Office have released the full contents of two ransom notes. Investigators are urging the public to analyze the distinctive patterns of word choice, syntax, and phraseology
in the messages, hoping someone familiar with the writer—such as a friend, coworker, classmate, or family member—will recognize the style.
Police Release Ransom Notes to Identify Nancy Guthrie’s Kidnapper
Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC anchor Savannah Guthrie, was last seen on the evening of Jan. 31 and reported missing the following day. Authorities maintain she was abducted or taken against her will.
Conflicting Demands and Claims
The two released notes, which were initially sent to media organizations including KOLD News 13, present conflicting narratives regarding Guthrie’s status.
The first note, sent Feb. 2, was addressed to Savannah Guthrie. It claimed Nancy was “safe but scared” and demanded a payment of $4 million USD in bitcoin. The writer stated that if payment was not received by 5 p.m. on Thursday the 5th, the ransom would increase to $6 million USD, due by 5 p.m. on Monday the 9th. The note warned that if the final deadline was missed, Guthrie would be killed, adding, Your mother is aware of this and her life is in your hands
.
This first message also included specific details about the home, noting that a white flood light in the backyard was destroyed and a white smart watch was on the floor at the foot of Guthrie’s bed.
A second note, sent Feb. 6 and addressed to the Guthrie Family,
claimed that Guthrie had died. The writer stated they did not grasp the seriousness of her physical condition and believed her death was “heart related,” concluding that she is buried in nature now. Despite these claims, authorities have not confirmed whether Nancy Guthrie is still alive.
Forensic Leads and Suspect Description
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is continuing to pursue forensic evidence, including DNA. While hair was found inside Guthrie’s home and tested, officials told CNN it did not point to a suspect.
However, the FBI previously released doorbell camera footage from Feb. 10 showing a masked person outside Guthrie’s home on the morning of her disappearance and on another occasion prior to the event. Investigators believe the videos indicate the crime was pre-planned. The suspect is described as:
- Height: Approximately 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-10
- Build: Average
- Attire: Black gloves and a black 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack
Public Appeal and Rewards
Law enforcement is asking the public to report anyone who displayed unusual behavior around the time of the disappearance. This includes sudden departures from the area, unexplained injuries, changes in mood or appearance, or an unusual interest in the investigation.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department noted that individuals may find it difficult to come forward due to personal relationships with those involved or safety concerns. To incentivize information, a combined reward of more than $1.2 million is available, consisting of:
- $1 million from the Guthrie family
- $102,500 from 88-CRIME
- $100,000 from the FBI
Separately, two men, Daniel Maddow and Carlos Alfredo Palazuelos, who were detained and released on Feb. 10, are seeking a combined $3 million against the sheriff’s department, alleging they were wrongfully held.
