Authorities have released an early ransom note in the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, hoping that someone will recognize the writing style. A second note, also released Friday, stated that Guthrie died shortly after she was kidnapped and "is buried in nature now."
Both notes were initially sent to a Tucson television station days after the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie went missing from her home outside Tucson on Feb. 1. Authorities have not confirmed whether Nancy Guthrie is still alive.
Saturday marks six months since Guthrie disappeared. No suspects have been arrested. The investigation faces numerous unanswered questions, including the number of people believed to have participated in the abduction and whether she was taken by someone known to her.
Savannah Guthrie recently shared that her family has been experiencing an "unending nightmare" and pleaded with the kidnappers to "tell us where to look for her."
In releasing the notes, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department stated, "we believe these distinctive linguistic characteristics may be recognizable to someone who knows or has interacted with the notes’ writer."
The first note, sent Feb. 2, claimed Guthrie was safe but scared and would be released unharmed once her captors received $4 million in cryptocurrency, with the ransom amount increasing if the initial demand was not met. It also included a threat to kill her if the ransom wasn’t paid. The note stated, "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."
The second note, sent Feb. 6, declared that Guthrie died shortly after she was taken. "She is buried in nature now. Nothing you could have done could have changed the outcome. We are truly sorry," the note read.
The sheriff’s department indicated that the notes exhibit a distinctive pattern of word choices, offering insight into the writer’s mindset. The agency suggested that someone familiar with the writer might recognize these patterns. Investigators drew a parallel to the apprehension of Theodore “Ted” Kaczynski, the "Unabomber," whose writings were used by authorities to identify him.
Authorities also stated Friday that two videos recovered from Guthrie’s doorbell camera may be from separate days and suggest an unidentified male prepared before Guthrie was taken. They are seeking information on anyone exhibiting unusual behavior, changing their appearance, leaving the Tucson area suddenly, or showing a notable or unexplained interest or disinterest in the case.
The FBI had previously released surveillance videos of a masked individual appearing to tamper with and block a camera on Nancy Guthrie’s front porch. The individual was described as a male approximately 5 feet, 9 inches tall.
On Feb. 4, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings released a video statement acknowledging reports of a purported ransom letter and expressing readiness to communicate, provided they received proof of their mother's life. Camron Guthrie, Savannah's brother, stated the following day that the family had not heard directly from the abductors.
A day after the second note was sent, Savannah Guthrie announced on Feb. 7 that the siblings had received a message and "understand," without divulging specifics, while reiterating their pleas for their mother’s safe return, stating, "We will pay."
Additionally, two men who were detained and subsequently released early in the investigation have filed a legal claim for $3 million against the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, alleging wrongful detention. The claim, made Thursday, centers on the separate detentions of Carlos Alfredo Palazuelos and Daniel Maddow on Feb. 10. Their attorneys stated they suffered reputational damage from being mentioned in the investigation, despite their release hours later.