Authorities release early ransom note in Nancy Guthrie cold case, seeking recognition

Authorities have recently released the original ransom note and a follow-up letter connected to the cold case disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, hoping to generate new leads. The Pima County Sheriff's Department and the FBI disclosed the communications on July 31, 2026, over six months after Guthrie, 84, vanished from her Tucson home on February 1. Officials believe the distinctive writing patterns, including word choice and phrasing, may be recognizable to someone familiar with the notes' author.

The first note, sent on February 2, demanded $4 million in cryptocurrency for Guthrie's safe return and threatened her life if the ransom was not paid. However, a second letter, dated February 6, claimed that Guthrie had died shortly after her abduction, suggesting it was due to a heart-related issue and that her body was "buried in nature." Both messages were initially sent to a local Tucson television station.

Investigators believe these two notes likely originated from the abductor(s) of Nancy Guthrie. Her daughter, "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie, and her siblings have publicly acknowledged and responded to the notes, expressing their belief in their authenticity. The case, which authorities now consider a "no-body" murder investigation, continues to be actively pursued by a multi-agency task force.