A second note sent to media outlets after Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance told recipients she had died, adding a new, undisclosed detail to a case that has left her family and investigators searching for answers since Feb. 1.
The second message sent to media outlets in the days after Nancy Guthrie vanished didn’t ask for a ransom.
Instead, it indicated that the 84-year-old mother of “TODAY” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie had died—though three people familiar with the matter said the note contained no apology and no request for payment for the release of her body.
The note’s existence has been known. What hadn’t been previously disclosed was the specific content: that it said Guthrie had died.
Guthrie was reported missing from her home near Tucson, Arizona, on Feb. 1. She was last seen the previous night around 9:45 p.m. The circumstances of her disappearance remain a mystery. Ten days after she was reported missing. the FBI recovered chilling doorbell camera images of an armed and masked man outside her home on the morning of her disappearance. The FBI has since described that man as a suspect.
Investigators had examined two notes sent to media outlets in the wake of Guthrie’s disappearance and believe they are potentially credible. The first note said Guthrie was safe and requested cryptocurrency in exchange for her release. The second note differed “in almost every way” from the first. NBC News has previously reported. quoting Jessica Bobula. the news director for local TV station KOLD. which received both notes.
After the second note was sent, Savannah Guthrie responded publicly on Instagram. In a video, she addressed her mother’s possible kidnapping, saying the family would “pay” for her return. Seated alongside her brother. Camron. and sister. Annie. Guthrie said. “We received your message and we understand. ” before urging. “We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace.”.
“This is very valuable to us, and we will pay,” she added as she held her siblings’ hands. The 20-second video did not provide specifics about the message she referenced.
The FBI described the suspect seen in the surveillance footage as a man of average build, 5 feet, 9 inches to 5 feet, 10 inches tall, wearing a black Ozark Trail Hiker Pack 25-liter backpack.
On Feb. 15, Savannah Guthrie posted another video to her Instagram account, telling whoever had her mother—or knew where she was—that “It is never too late to do the right thing.” She has also said the family is still hoping for answers.
For tips, the public is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
Nancy Guthrie Savannah Guthrie missing mother FBI Tucson ransom note cryptocurrency Instagram video Ozark Trail Hiker Pack 25-liter
So basically they got a note that says she died but they still didn’t ask for money?? That’s just messed up.
I saw the headline and thought it meant Savannah already knew she was dead or something. But then it’s like “no apology no payment”?? How does that even work.
Wait the FBI has doorbell footage of a masked dude and they’re describing the backpack like it’s a clue, ok. But if the second note says she died, why are they still “hoping for answers” like maybe he left her somewhere alive??
This is why I hate those ransom crypto things, like people see “cryptocurrency” and assume it’s all just scammers. But then it’s a family on NBC, so it’s gotta be real… unless it’s not. Also 2 notes, one says safe and one says dead, that alone sounds like chaos.