The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has released two ransom notes sent to local and national news outlets in connection with the disappearance of Today show host Savannah Guthrie‘s mother, Nancy Guthrie.
“These communications reveal distinctive patterns of word choice, syntax, and phraseology that reflect the writer’s unique linguistic style,” read a press release shared via X on Friday, July 31. “They also provide valuable insight into the person’s mindset, motives and the evolution of their tone over time.”
The department noted that they believe the notes’ “distinctive linguistic characteristics may be recognizable to someone who knows or has interacted with the notes’ writer. A friend, family member, coworker, classmate, or acquaintance may recognize these patterns of expression and possess information that could help identify the individual responsible.”
The first note — which was sent to KOLD-TV 13 News, a local CBS affiliate in Tucson, Arizona, on February 2, one day after Nancy, 84, was reported missing — is addressed to Savannah, 54.
“We have your mother, Nancy. She is safe but scared,” the note read. “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 7 days.”
The alleged kidnappers instructed Savannah to send “Bitcoin in the amount of $4 million USD before 5 p.m. on Thursday, [February 5].”
“If payment is not received, the ransom will be increased to $6 million USD, which will need to be paid by 5 p.m. on Monday, [February 9],” the note continued. “Once payment is received to the Bitcoin address below, she will be released within 12 hours of deposit to a safe drop-off location back in Tucson.”
The note warned that Nancy would be “killed” if payment was not received by the second deadline.
“Your mother is aware of this, and her life is in your hands. 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 note concluded.
The second ransom note was sent to KOLD on February 6 and addressed to the “Guthrie Family.”
“We did not fully grasp the seriousness of her physical condition,” the note read. “We never intended to hurt her, that was not our intention. 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.”
In addition to releasing the notes, the PCSD noted in Friday’s press release that they, along with the FBI, have “recovered videos from [Nancy’s] residence showing an unidentified male who knows what happened” to the Guthrie family matriarch.
“Two videos recovered from Nancy’s doorbell camera may be from two separate days,” the statement continued. “These videos are critical to our understanding of the unidentified male’s behaviors and choices. They indicate he took steps to prepare for the event on the night of January 31 to February 1.”
The department has asked the public for “continued assistance” in the search for Nancy.
“We know there are individuals familiar with this unidentified male who may have observed changes in his behavior around the timeframe of the videos,” the press release stated before listing signs to look out for, including “a change in mood or displays of anxiety, nervousness or irritability, a change of physical appearance: hair color or cut, growth or removal of facial hair, etc., unexplained injuries (cuts on hands, bruises, etc.) during the period Nancy was last seen, normal routine changes (missing work, classes or appointments), sudden departures from the area around the time of her disappearance, vehicle cleaning, or repairs, unexplained interest or disinterest in Nancy Guthrie’s neighborhood and noticeable intense interest or disinterest in the investigation or an unexplained knowledge of the situation.”
The statement concluded, “In some cases, there are times when people who may have knowledge initially do not come forward. This may be due to their close relationships with those who might be involved as well as a concern for their own safety, reputation, or standing in the community and amongst their friends. We recognize relationships and loyalties change over time, as do people and their perspectives. It is not too late to come forward. Regardless of how insignificant you think your information may be, or whether you think we are already aware of it, please contact us.”
Nancy was last confirmed to be at her residence in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood in Tucson on the evening of January 31. She is believed to have been taken from her home in the early hours of February 1.
