The Pima County Sheriff's Department has released two redacted ransom notes received by local media in Tucson, Arizona, following the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie. Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of 'Today' show host Savannah Guthrie, was taken from her home in the Tucson area on February 1.
Nancy Guthrie remains missing six months after her abduction. The Sheriff's Department believes the two ransom notes were sent by the same person, noting that they share a unique linguistic style.
These communications reveal distinctive patterns of word choice, syntax, and phraseology.
— Pima County Sheriff's Department
Authorities stated the notes provide insight into the writer's mindset, motives, and tone evolution. The Pima County Sheriff's Department is currently seeking public assistance to identify the individual who wrote the notes.
Anyone with information is requested to dial 1-800-CALL-FBI or call 520-88-CRIME to remain anonymous.
Updates
Newly released details reveal the first ransom note was addressed to Savannah Guthrie and demanded $4 million in Bitcoin, with a threat to increase the amount to $6 million if not met by February 9. A second note sent on February 6 claimed Nancy Guthrie had died from a likely heart-related issue shortly after her abduction, stating, 'We did not fully grasp the seriousness of her physical condition.' Authorities also noted that Guthrie's pacemaker had been disconnected from her phone app when she went missing.
The released ransom notes reveal that the first message, addressed to Savannah Guthrie and received on February 2, demanded $4 million in Bitcoin with a threat to increase the amount to $6 million. A second note sent on February 6 claimed that Nancy Guthrie died shortly after her abduction due to likely heart-related issues, stating, 'We did not fully grasp the seriousness of her physical condition.' Authorities also noted that Guthrie's pacemaker was disconnected from her phone app when she went missing.
The released notes reveal that the initial ransom demand sent to Savannah Guthrie on February 2 required $4 million in Bitcoin, with a threat to increase the amount to $6 million and kill Guthrie if not met by February 9. A second note sent on February 6 claimed Guthrie had died due to her physical condition and is now 'buried in nature.' Additionally, authorities noted that Guthrie's pacemaker had been disconnected from a mobile app when she vanished from her home in the Catalina Foothills.
