Pima County Investigators Reviewing New Possible Ransom Note in Nancy Guthrie Case

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and FBI task force investigating the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, 84, say they are reviewing a “new, possible ransom note” nearly eight months after the Catalina Foothills woman vanished from her home.

In a statement posted to X on Monday, the joint task force did not disclose when the note was received, who it was sent to, or what it said. Investigators indicated they are also aware of discussion about the note circulating on social media and are working to determine whether the material is credible.

“The PCSD/FBI Guthrie Task Force was recently made aware of a new possible ransom note related to the Nancy Guthrie investigation. Investigators are also aware of social media comments regarding the note and are looking further into the information to determine its credibility.”

Neither the FBI nor Guthrie’s daughter, television journalist Savannah Guthrie, has commented on the new development.

The Earlier Notes

Guthrie is believed to have been abducted from her bed at her Catalina Foothills home. Within a week of her disappearance, local Arizona station KOLD-13 received two separate ransom notes.

The first, dated Feb. 2, demanded $4 million in bitcoin in exchange for Guthrie’s safe release, with a deadline of 5 p.m. on Feb. 5. The note warned that failure to pay would raise the demand to $6 million by the following Monday, Feb. 9, and threatened that Guthrie would be killed if payment did not arrive by that deadline.

“Once payment is received to the bitcoin address below she will be released within 12 hours of deposit to a safe drop off location back in Tucson… Your mother is aware of this and her life is in your hands.”

A second note, sent Feb. 6, struck a markedly different tone, suggesting Guthrie had already died.

“We did not fully grasp the seriousness of her physical condition. We never intended to hurt her, that was not our intention. She perished shortly after she was taken. We believe it was heart related. She is buried in nature now. Nothing you could have done could have changed the outcome. We want your family to know this and hope you all can find peace. We are truly sorry.”

Authorities have not identified who sent either note. Forensic psychologist Gary Brucato said in August he believed the two messages were written by different people—one more calculated, the other more emotional—and suggested the author of the second note may have had some personal connection to Savannah Guthrie.

The two earlier notes were made public around the six-month mark of the investigation. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said at the time he hoped releasing them publicly would prompt a response from the community. No arrests have been made in the case.

The Guthrie family continues to offer a $1 million reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery, and the FBI is separately offering $100,000.