Authorities are actively reviewing a possible new ransom note connected to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie in Tucson, Arizona. Investigators continue to probe the high-profile case nearly eight months after she was reported missing. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI are examining the note’s credibility following information that surfaced online and through social media.
According to law enforcement sources, investigators do not believe the latest alleged ransom note is credible. Officials raised concerns regarding unusual details and its timing. They noted that the message was sent to one of Nancy Guthrie’s friends months after her initial disappearance from her home in the Catalina Foothills community.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department stated that its joint task force with the FBI was made aware of the new communication and is working to determine its validity. This development comes as the investigation approaches the eight-month mark since Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show cohost Savannah Guthrie, vanished.
Previous Ransom Notes and Extortion Attempts
The latest review follows a series of previous communications and unconfirmed ransom notes that have emerged throughout the investigation. In July, authorities made public the contents of two notes sent to Tucson’s KOLD-TV 13 shortly after Guthrie disappeared on February 1.
- First Note (Sent Feb. 2): Claimed Guthrie was being held hostage, was “safe but scared,” and demanded a ransom in Bitcoin-$4 million if paid by February 5 or $6 million by February 9-for her safe return.
- Second Note (Sent Feb. 6): Shifted tone entirely, claiming that Guthrie had perished shortly after being taken due to a heart-related condition and was buried in nature.
Federal investigators previously examined those early February communications. While an FBI official noted in July that some ransom demands might potentially be legitimate, authorities have also encountered numerous fake attempts by opportunistic actors. Derrick Callella, a 42-year-old resident of Hawthorne, California, pleaded guilty in July to federal harassment charges after posing as a kidnapper and sending fake ransom demands to the Guthrie family.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Appeals
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the evening of January 31 and was reported missing on February 1 after failing to show up at a friend’s house to watch an online church service. Law enforcement officials believe she was taken from her home by force. Investigators have analyzed mixed DNA recovered from the residence and reviewed doorbell camera footage showing a masked individual outside her property.
Despite receiving over 50,000 tips and conducting extensive searches-including ruling out unrelated human remains discovered in desert areas outside Tucson-no suspects have been arrested in connection with the kidnapping. A combined reward totaling more than $1.2 million remains active for information leading to Guthrie’s recovery.
The Guthrie family continues to plead for public assistance. Anyone with information regarding the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie or any related communications is urged to contact the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI, visit tips.fbi.gov, or call the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900 or 88-CRIME.
