New Ransom Note Surfaces in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance Case
Authorities are investigating a potential ransom note received nearly eight months after the Arizona woman vanished.
Investigators are examining a "new, possible ransom note" in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, nearly eight months after she was taken from her Arizona home. The Pima County Sheriff's Department announced the development Monday on X, formerly Twitter, stating that the "Guthrie Task Force" was made aware of the note and is looking into its credibility, also acknowledging social media discussions surrounding it.
The FBI and Savannah Guthrie, Nancy Guthrie's daughter and a prominent news anchor, have not yet commented on the latest development. This comes after two ransom notes were sent to local news station KOLD-13 within a week of Guthrie's January disappearance. Authorities have long believed the 84-year-old was abducted from her bed.
The first note, received on February 2, demanded $4 million in bitcoin for Guthrie's safe return, with a deadline of February 5. It warned that the ransom would increase to $6 million if not met, and that Guthrie would be killed if payment was not received by February 9.
A second note, sent on February 6, expressed remorse and suggested Guthrie may have died shortly after her abduction due to a heart-related issue. "She perished shortly after she was taken. We believe it was heart related. She is buried in nature now," the note read, adding, "Nothing you could have done could have changed the outcome."
A forensic psychologist, Gary Brucato, suggested in August that the two notes were likely written by different individuals, with one exhibiting intelligence and the other a more emotional tone. He also speculated that the author of the second note might have had a connection to Savannah Guthrie.
Despite the release of these notes and the involvement of the FBI, no arrests have been made in the case. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos had previously expressed hope that the public release of the notes would encourage community response. The Guthrie family is offering a $1 million reward for information leading to their matriarch's recovery, and the FBI has offered an additional $100,000 reward.