Tucson: Second Ransom Note Claims Savannah Guthrie's Mother Died in Kidnapping

A Darker Turn in the Nancy Guthrie Case

A second ransom note connected to the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie, reportedly claims the 84-year-old died shortly after being abducted from her Tucson home.

The message, delivered in early February, has intensified a five-month investigation that has drawn national attention and yielded no arrests.

"We believe that it was targeted, but we’re not 100% sure of that."

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told NBC News in March that authorities suspected the abduction was targeted, though he stopped short of confirming a motive.

What the Notes Said

According to reports from CNN and NBC News, citing law enforcement sources, the first ransom note arrived on February 2, one day after Nancy Guthrie was reported missing. The message contained specific details about her residence, including that her back porch light was broken and an Apple Watch with a white strap was on the floor of her bedroom. It demanded millions of dollars in Bitcoin for her safe return.

The second note, delivered on February 6, conveyed a far darker message. It informed the family that Nancy Guthrie had allegedly died and expressed regret over her death. CNN reported that the note stated her death was unintentional.

Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether Nancy Guthrie is alive or dead. The investigation remains active.

"We received your message and we understand. We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay."

Savannah Guthrie said in an Instagram video shared on February 7, alongside her siblings Annie and Camron.

The Night She Vanished

Nancy Guthrie was last seen at approximately 9:45 p.m. on January 31 at her residence in the Catalina Foothills area of Tucson. Doorbell camera footage released by the FBI showed a masked individual carrying a black backpack approaching her porch in the early hours of February 1. The camera was disconnected at 1:47 a.m.

The next morning, Nancy Guthrie did not appear at a friend’s house for church. A church member alerted a family member, prompting a search of her home and a 911 call.

Investigators found signs of forced entry at the home. Several of Guthrie’s personal items, including her cellphone, wallet, and car, remained at the scene.

A Family in Agony

Nancy Guthrie has limited mobility and relies on a pacemaker and daily medication to manage a heart condition. Sheriff Nanos said she could die without her medication.

The disappearance has taken a visible toll on Savannah Guthrie, who grew up in Tucson and previously worked as a reporter at local station KVOA. On June 23, she addressed viewers from the "Today" show anchor desk, wiping away tears.

"This is a new story that today is on your radar, but this is the life that my sister lives, that I live, that my brother lives, that our extended families live, that our children live every day. And we are in agony and we cannot be at peace."

The Investigation Continues

The FBI has offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery or an arrest. Savannah Guthrie and her family have offered a separate $1 million reward.

Investigators have gathered DNA samples but said none have pointed to suspects. They are reviewing surveillance video from nearby homes, analyzing cellphone tower data, and examining license plate camera information from the area.

Two men were briefly detained in February but released without charges. Luke Daley, one of those detained, told True Crime Arizona host Briana Whitney he had "nothing to do with this case." His attorney confirmed to People that Daley and his mother were held for four hours while search warrants were executed on their property.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said the investigation "remains active and ongoing." The department advised directing inquiries about the ransom notes to the FBI.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.