Ransom Note Reveals Nancy Guthrie's Fate
A ransom note connected to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, reportedly stated that the 84-year-old woman had died. According to CNN and other news organizations citing law enforcement sources, the note indicated that those who kidnapped her did not intend to kill her, but she died shortly after her disappearance.
Following Nancy Guthrie's disappearance in early February from her home in the foothills near Tucson, Arizona, some media outlets had received ransom notes related to the case. CNN reported on Monday that one such note disclosed Nancy Guthrie's death. The network stated it was aware of the contents of one of these notes. Additionally, a Tucson television station reportedly received two ransom notes.
The media outlets agreed to withhold the public release of the notes' contents to ensure that any future communications from the kidnappers could be properly authenticated, CNN reported.
Official Responses and Media Involvement
The Pima County Sheriff's Department declined to comment on the contents of the ransom note. The FBI did not respond to requests for comment. The Guthrie family also refrained from making any immediate public statements or social media posts regarding the notes on Monday.
Jessica Bobula, news director of Tucson TV station KOLD, stated on Monday that her station received several ransom notes after Nancy Guthrie's disappearance. She said the station notified authorities and has only shared information released by the FBI about the notes.
Investigation and Search Efforts
Authorities suspect that Nancy Guthrie was kidnapped, abducted, or otherwise taken against her will after blood was discovered near her front doorstep. The FBI later released surveillance footage showing a masked man on the porch on the night of her disappearance.
In the weeks following her disappearance, volunteers and search teams combed the nearby desert terrain, which includes cactuses, bushes, and boulders. A volunteer group recently conducted a search for her body near the Arizona-Mexico border but did not report any findings.
