Two alleged ransom notes related to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, whose case has now reached the six-month mark, have been released by an Arizona news outlet. The notes were reportedly sent to 13 News on February 2 and February 6.
The first note, received one day after Guthrie was reported missing from her Tucson home, was addressed to her daughter, Savannah Guthrie, a co-host on the "Today" show. The message claimed that Nancy Guthrie was being held for ransom and would be released unharmed once a payment of $4 million in Bitcoin was received.
The note stated that the payment needed to be made by 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 5. It warned that failure to meet this deadline would increase the ransom to $6 million, with a new deadline of 5 p.m. on Monday, February 9. The sender threatened that if the ransom was not paid by the final deadline, Nancy Guthrie would be killed.
"Your mother is aware of this and her life is in your hands," the note read. "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."
The message concluded with a reference to a white smartwatch found on the floor of a bedroom and a destroyed white floodlight in the backyard.
The second note, sent four days later, claimed that Nancy Guthrie had died, attributing her death to a heart-related issue shortly after she was taken. "We did not fully grasp the seriousness of her physical condition. We never intended to hurt her, that was not our intention," the note stated. "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 all can find peace. We are truly sorry."