Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos announced the release of two ransom notes believed to be from the alleged kidnappers of Nancy Guthrie, explaining the decision comes as the investigation enters its sixth month. The notes were sent to Arizona outlet KOLD-13 on Feb. 2 and Feb. 6, following Guthrie's abduction from her Arizona home in the early morning of Feb. 1.
Nanos stated that the release is intended to elicit a community response, hoping that details within the notes might resonate with someone. "There are a number of pieces of information in these notes that just might jar someone to say, ‘You know, I’ve heard that,’ or the wording, the style of the writing," Nanos said in an interview Saturday. He added that with the notes already circulating in the media, authorities wanted to ensure the information being reported was accurate.
The sheriff emphasized the ongoing commitment of law enforcement to solving the case. "We’re still here. We are not going away," Nanos insisted, describing the investigative team's high energy and concern. "They’re fired up, and we’ll continue to work this case hard."
One note, addressed to Nancy Guthrie's daughter Savannah Guthrie, stated, "We have your mother Nancy." It claimed Nancy was "safe but scared" and would be held for a maximum of seven days. The initial demand was $4 million in Bitcoin by Feb. 5, escalating to $6 million by Feb. 9. The note also included details suggesting knowledge of the abduction, mentioning a "white smart watch on the floor at the foot of her bed" and that "the white flood light in backyard was destroyed."
A second note suggested that Nancy had died after the abductors "failed to fully grasp the seriousness of her physical condition," referencing her pacemaker and heart issues. "She perished shortly after she was taken. We believe it was heart related. She is buried in nature now," the note read. The authors expressed sorrow, stating, "We want your family to know this and hope you all can find peace. We are truly sorry."
Despite the abductors' claims of Nancy's death, Savannah Guthrie has publicly pleaded for information, believing that "someone knows something" or "suspects something." Six months after her mother was reported missing, Savannah stated via Instagram that her family has lived "every moment, every breath, and every heartbeat in agony and despair." She expressed a determination to uncover what happened to her mother to allow for a proper goodbye and celebration of her life. Savannah took a brief leave from her role on the "Today" show following her mother's abduction and has spoken about the difficulty of maintaining composure on air since her return.
Authorities have released surveillance footage showing a masked suspect disabling a front door camera at Nancy Guthrie's home on the night she disappeared. The investigation remains active.