Nancy Guthrie Abduction: A Tragic Turn
Investigators have revealed that a ransom note, dispatched days after the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, mother to US television host Savannah Guthrie, indicated that the 84-year-old had passed away. This note was one of two sent to Mrs. Guthrie's family and media outlets in the aftermath of her January abduction.
Details of the Ransom Communications
The first communication demanded a multi-million dollar payment in Bitcoin for Mrs. Guthrie's safe return. However, a subsequent note, according to US media sources, stated that she had died. This second message from the alleged abductors reportedly expressed that her death was unintentional and included an apology to the family.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department has refrained from commenting directly on the contents of these notes, emphasizing that the investigation remains active and ongoing. A spokesperson confirmed that the department is collaborating closely with the FBI, pursuing leads and reviewing all available information related to the case.
The Disappearance and Initial Search
Nancy Guthrie disappeared on January 31 after being dropped off at her home near Tucson, Arizona, by relatives. Concerns escalated when she failed to attend a virtual church service the following morning. The initial ransom note, sent the day after her disappearance, provided specific details about her home, including her bedroom and the surrounding area, as reported by investigators to CBS.
This first note was reportedly addressed to Savannah Guthrie, co-anchor of NBC's Today show, and was distributed to several media outlets. A local TV station reportedly complied with a police request to withhold its contents at the time. The second note, sent on February 6, reportedly used similar language to the first but contained no demands, instead offering an apology for her death, stating it was inadvertent.
Family's Plea and Ongoing Investigation
Following the receipt of the two notes, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings released a video appeal to the kidnappers. "We received your message, and we understand," the NBC host stated, pleading for her mother's return and indicating the family "would pay."
Authorities and the Guthrie family repeatedly issued public warnings about Mrs. Guthrie's poor health and her need for critical medication. As the search progressed, images of a masked individual captured by security cameras outside her home were released. The Guthrie family offered a $1 million reward, supplemented by an additional $100,000 from the FBI, for information leading to Nancy Guthrie's return.
In February, Savannah Guthrie expressed her family's continued hope, acknowledging, however, that her mother "may be lost, she may already be gone." She later told NBC in March that while several ransom notes were sent, her family believed only the initial two were authentic. Savannah Guthrie took a hiatus from the Today show for over two months during the investigation, returning in early April as the search efforts persisted.
Source: Ransom note claims Nancy Guthrie died after abduction