New ransom note claims Nancy Guthrie died after kidnapping

Wed Jun 24 2026 07:29:49 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A second ransom note claims 84‑year‑old Nancy Guthrie died after her January kidnapping. Investigation continues.

A second ransom note circulated after the January disappearance of Nancy Guthrie says the 84‑year‑old has died, a claim investigators have not confirmed. The note apologized for her death and clarified it was unintentional. Law enforcement agencies say the investigation remains active, with the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department reviewing evidence. The family continues to seek information and has offered a substantial reward for leads.

Ransom note claims Nancy Guthrie died after kidnapping

A second ransom note circulated in the days after Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance in January is saying that the 84‑year‑old mother of NBC host Savannah Guthrie has died. The note, sent by the alleged kidnappers, apologized for the death and stated it was unintended and offered no further demands.

The first note, delivered a day after Guthrie was reported missing, demanded millions in bitcoin for her release and contained detailed information about her home. In contrast, the new note, sent on 6 February, contains only an apology and a statement that the victim’s death was inadvertent, according to sources cited by the BBC.

Both notes were addressed to Savannah Guthrie’s family and were sent to news outlets, with some media outlets following a police request to withhold details while the investigation continued. Pima County Sheriff’s officials have said the case remains active and the FBI is involved in reviewing leads and evidence.

The family, meanwhile, has been urging the public to come forward with information. Savannah Guthrie appeared on NBC’s Today show, visibly shaken, urging anyone with clues to contact authorities. The family has also offered a reward of $1 million and the FBI has pledged an additional $100,000 for information leading to a resolution.

Authorities released images of a masked individual seen on security footage outside Nancy Guthrie’s home, but are yet to identify the suspect. The case remains a painful focus for the Guthrie family and a reminder of the ongoing challenges surrounding kidnapping cases in the United States.