Pima County sheriff releases alleged Nancy Guthrie ransom notes

The Pima County Sheriff's Department in Arizona released two ransom notes Friday that were tied to Nancy Guthrie's disappearance, six months after she disappeared.

Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie, has been missing since February and is believed to have been kidnapped. She was last seen alive at her home in Tucson, Arizona, on Jan. 31.

The notes include redactions and the sheriff's department said it hopes that people will be able to help identify the writer and alleged kidnapper by the writer's style and voice. 

"These communications reveal distinctive patterns of word choice, syntax, and phraseology that reflect the writer's unique linguistic style," the department said in a news release. "They also provide valuable insight into the person's mindset, motives, and the evolution of their tone over time."

The department also noted that the first note was sent to local CBS Tucson affiliate KOLD-TV on Feb. 2, and was addressed to Savannah Guthrie. The second note, addressed to the Guthrie family, was sent Feb. 6.

The first note stated that Nancy Guthrie was alive and safe, but the second revealed that she died unexpectedly because of her pre-existing conditions. She is allegedly buried "in nature now." 

"We did not fully grasp the seriousness of her physical condition," the note reads. "We never intended to hurt her, that was not our intention. She perished shortly after she was taken."

The second note also included an apology that emphasized there was nothing the family could have done to save her.

"We received your message and we understand," Savannah Guthrie said after receiving the second note. "We beg you now to return our mother to us. ... . This is very valuable to us, and we will pay."

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.