Nancy Guthrie disappearance timeline and latest updates
Six months after Nancy Guthrie vanished in Arizona, investigators continue reviewing the kidnapping case.
As the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother hit the 6-month mark on Friday, July 31, Arizona authorities released for the first time the full notes sent by the person claiming responsibility for Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapping.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department shared the two communications sent to Tucson’s KOLD-TV 13 after the 84-year-old disappeared on Feb. 1. The first, sent Feb. 2, demanded ransom in exchange for her safe return. The second, sent Feb. 6, claimed she had died.
“These communications reveal distinctive patterns of word choice, syntax, and phraseology that reflect the writer’s unique linguistic style,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement. “They also provide valuable insight into the person’s mindset, motives, and the evolution of their tone over time.”
Investigators say that the distinctive linguistic characteristics in the notes may be recognizable to someone who knows or has interacted with the kidnappers. “A friend, family member, coworker, classmate, or acquaintance may recognize these patterns of expression and possess information that could help identify the individual responsible,” the statement continued.
The release of the ransom notes marks the Sheriff’s Department’s first major update in months.
What do the ransom notes say?
The first note claims the purported kidnappers are holding Nancy Guthrie hostage and demand a ransom in Bitcoin for her safe return. It says Guthrie would be held for a maximum of seven days and released within 12 hours of payment. The note demands $4 million if the payment is made by Feb. 5 or $6 million by Feb. 9.
“She is safe but scared,” the Feb. 2 note reads. “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. If payment is not received by the last deadline on Monday the 9th (of February) at 5PM, she will be killed.”
In the second note, the purported kidnapper claims that Nancy Guthrie is dead and buried and apologizes to the Guthrie family.
“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,” the Feb. 6 note claimed. “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.”
Nancy Guthrie investigators believe suspect returned twice
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department also shared that the investigators believe the suspect prepared ahead of the kidnapping.
Doorbell camera footage from Nancy Guthrie’s front door previously released by the FBI may have been from two separate days, including Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, according to the sheriff’s department. Investigators believe the suspect took steps in advance to prepare for her kidnapping.
“Investigators continue to pursue every available technological and investigative lead. However, community members remain a vital resource as we seek to provide answers for Nancy’s family,” the department said. “We are asking for the public’s continued assistance and are confident that you can further the effort. We know there are individuals familiar with this unidentified male who may have observed changes in his behavior around the timeframe of the videos.”
The sheriff said the behavioral changes around the time of Guthrie’s disappearance could have included:
- A change in mood or displays of anxiety, nervousness or irritability.
- A change of physical appearance, such as hair color or cut, growth or removal of facial hair.
- Unexplained injuries such as cuts to the hands or bruises during the period Nancy was last seen.
- Normal routine changes, such as missing work, classes or appointments.
- Sudden departures from the area around the time of her disappearance.
- Vehicle cleaning or repairs.
- Unexplained interest or disinterest in Nancy Guthrie’s neighborhood.
- Noticeable intense interest or disinterest in the investigation or unexplained knowledge of the situation.
Investigators are sorting through ‘so much DNA’
In the July 28 update, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos revealed that investigators “have so much DNA to sort through.”
The DNA evidence obtained includes Nancy Guthrie’s dried blood droplets on the tile at the entrance to her home. Other evidence includes specimens found inside her home that do not belong to her or anyone close to her, though any updates on this DNA have not been shared publicly.
On Feb. 17, the department confirmed preliminary results failed to match the DNA collection at her home to the gloves the FBI said resembled those of the suspect seen in the surveillance video. The DNA profile also did not match anyone in the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).
Nanos also said investigators are going through “so much in terms of video evidence to look at,” including the home surveillance footage at Nancy’s home. The suspect in the video is described as a man, “approximately 5’9″-5’10” tall, with an average build,” who was “wearing a black, 25-liter ‘Ozark Trail Hiker Pack’ backpack.”
Contributing: Perry Vandell, Arizona Republic, KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY