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Ransom Notes, No Arrests
Six months after Nancy Guthrie vanished from her Tucson-area home, her daughter Savannah Guthrie renewed a public plea for information, saying her mother was taken from her bed overnight and that the family is desperate for answers.
“The "Today" show co-host shared the message on Instagram early Saturday”
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department released the full text of two ransom notes connected to the investigation, with the first note sent Feb. 2 demanding between $4 million and $6 million in bitcoin for Nancy Guthrie’s safe return.
In the second note, sent four days later, the kidnappers claimed Nancy Guthrie had died shortly after being taken and that her death was unintentional.
The FBI has been assisting Pima County investigators throughout the case, and the NewsNation report said “No arrests have been made.”
Savannah Guthrie’s statement also urged anyone who might recognize the handwriting in the ransom notes to come forward, with tips submitted anonymously and a reward remaining available.
Threats and a Death Claim
In the first note, sent Feb. 2, the kidnappers told the family Nancy Guthrie was “safe but scared” and demanded $4 million in bitcoin, warning that if payment was not received “she will be killed.”
The second note, sent four days later and addressed to the Guthrie family, said Nancy Guthrie “perished shortly after she was taken,” adding “We believe it was heart related” and that “She is buried in nature now.”
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said the department felt it needed to put out information that was “really accurate,” and he said the release was intended to get “some response from the community.”
NBC News reported that the Pima County Sheriff’s Department released the letters in hopes of generating new leads, saying the notes reveal a “unique linguistic style” with distinctive word choice, syntax and phraseology.
The BBC reported that the Pima County Sheriff’s Office said it could not verify Nancy Guthrie’s death and that the investigation remains active.
Family, Rewards, and Legal Fallout
Savannah Guthrie’s plea on Saturday included a direct appeal for help, writing “We are begging for help. We are desperate. We need someone to come forward,” while also saying the family will “never stop looking for answers.”
“We are begging for help. We are desperate. We need someone to come forward”
The family’s statement urged people to come forward even if they are afraid or conflicted, and it said “The reward is available,” while also telling followers “If you are following this story for entertainment or for profit, you are not on her side.”
As the case enters its six-month mark, the Guardian reported that two men questioned early in the search for Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother said they will file a $3.25m wrongful arrest lawsuit against the sheriff who detained them.
The Guardian said the notice of claim was dated Monday and that the plaintiffs are Carlos Palazuelos, detained on 10 February for questioning and released later without charge, and Daniel Maddox, who was placed in handcuffs outside the home that belonged to his mother, Josefina.
The Guardian also said the Pima county sheriff’s department posted a message on social media on Thursday renewing an appeal for credible information, while the investigation remained active and ongoing.
