Excerpts from what is believed to be the first ransom note in the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie have been revealed, detailing the demands and threats made by the abductors. Briana Whitney, a former Arizona reporter who covered the case, shared the excerpts on the true crime podcast 'Crime Junkie.'
According to Whitney, the note, sent to local media, stated, "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 seven days."
The sender imposed two deadlines with escalating financial demands, specifying a Bitcoin address for payment. The note reportedly warned, "If the payment is not received by the last deadline on Monday the 9th at 5 p.m., she will be killed. Your mother is aware of this, and her life is in your hands."
The note also claimed to contain information only the abductors and investigators would know, including the location of Guthrie's Apple watch and details about a smashed floodlight in her backyard. The sender explicitly stated, "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."
A purported second note read by Whitney suggested that the kidnappers had underestimated Guthrie's health and that she had died shortly after being taken, reportedly including an apology.
Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her Tucson home on February 1. The Pima County Sheriff's Department and the FBI are investigating the case as an abduction. The primary suspect identified is a masked intruder captured on a Nest doorbell camera. The FBI, with assistance from Google, recovered this video footage. The suspect is described as being between 5 feet, 9 inches and 5 feet, 10 inches tall, with an average build, and was seen wearing a black Ozark Trail backpack.
Authorities have emphasized the critical nature of swift action in abduction cases to preserve evidence. Criminal defense attorney Josh Ritter highlighted that a four-day delay in FBI involvement in the investigation may have resulted in the irreversible loss of crucial video evidence of a suspect. He stressed the importance of immediate evidence gathering in such probes.
Rewards in the case have surpassed $1.2 million. Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit tips anonymously to Tucson's Crime Stoppers at 520-88-CRIME.