Nancy Guthrie Case Update: Full text of ransom notes released as authorities renew plea to public to identify suspects; here’s what they said

Nancy Guthrie Case Update: Investigators have released the full text of two ransom notes tied to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, marking a major development in the case. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department shared the notes publicly on Friday, July 31, 2026, offering the first complete look at messages that had previously been described in reports but never published in full.

Nancy Guthrie, 84, the mother of NBC journalist and Today show host Savannah Guthrie, vanished from her home in Catalina Foothills, Tucson, in the early hours of February 1, 2026. She was last seen the evening before. Authorities said the release was intended to help the public recognize the writing style. One of the notes claimed Guthrie died shortly after being abducted and stated she was “buried in nature now.”

The two messages were originally sent to a Tucson television station days after Guthrie went missing. Officials have not confirmed whether she is alive. The sheriff’s department posted the notes on X ahead of the six‑month anniversary of Guthrie’s disappearance. No suspects have been arrested, and investigators continue to face unanswered questions, including how many people may have been involved and whether the abduction was carried out by someone who knew her.

The Ransom Notes

The department said the notes were sent to several outlets, including CBS affiliate KOLD‑TV 13, on February 2 and February 6. The first note, dated February 2 and addressed to Savannah Guthrie, read: “Hello Savannah, We have your mother Nancy. She is safe but scared. 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. You will need to send bitcoin in the amount of $4 million USD before 5PM on Thursday the 5th. If payment is not received, the ransom will be increased to 6 million USD which will need to be paid by 5PM on Monday the 9th.”




The note warned that failure to pay by the final deadline would result in Nancy’s death. It also referenced personal details, including a smartwatch found near her bed and a broken floodlight in the backyard. The second note, sent February 6 and addressed to the Guthrie family, claimed Nancy had died unintentionally: “We did not fully grasp the seriousness of her physical condition. We never intended to hurt her… She perished shortly after she was taken. We believe it was heart related. She is buried in nature now.”

Investigators Seek Public Help

In its Friday statement, the sheriff’s department urged the public to study the notes for distinctive linguistic traits that might reveal the writer’s identity. Officials said recognizable patterns of word choice, mood shifts, or unusual behavior could provide leads.




The department drew parallels to the FBI’s capture of Theodore “Ted” Kaczynski, the Unabomber, whose writings helped relatives identify him after his manifesto was published in 1995. Authorities acknowledged that coming forward may be difficult for those with personal ties to the case but stressed that “relationships and loyalties change over time” and urged anyone with information to speak up.

Evidence Suggests Planning

Investigators also revealed that two doorbell camera videos may show an unidentified man preparing in advance of Guthrie’s abduction. The FBI previously released footage of a masked individual tampering with Guthrie’s porch camera and blocking it with a plant. The suspect was described as a male about 5 feet 9 inches tall.

The sheriff’s office said it is pursuing every technological lead but emphasized that community input remains critical. Savannah Guthrie, in a recent video message, described the ordeal as “an unending nightmare” and pleaded with the kidnappers to “tell us where to look for her.”

ALSO READ: Nancy Guthrie investigator Chris Nanos breaks silence on hair and DNA samples, fueling suspense over suspect in high‑stakes probe