Authorities have released the full contents of two ransom notes sent to a local newsdesk regarding the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of a Melbourne-born American television host, as the investigation reaches the six-month mark according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Office. The communications were emailed to Arizona outlet KOLD-13 in early February by an anonymous sender claiming to hold the missing Tucson resident.
Ransom Demands and Deadlines Issued in February Emails
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office published images and text of the correspondence, detailing two separate messages received on February 2 and February 6. The initial note arrived one day after the 84-year-old grandmother was reported missing from her home in Tucson, Arizona. According to the New York Post, the first message was addressed directly to Nancy’s daughter, US Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie.
“Hello Savannah, We have your mother Nancy. She is safe but scared. She will be held for ransom and once payment is received she will be released unharmed,” the first note stated. The sender demanded $4 million USD in bitcoin to be paid before 5 PM on Thursday, February 5. The message warned that failure to meet the deadline would raise the ransom to $6 million USD, payable by 5 PM on Monday, February 9.
Did you know? The Pima County Sheriff’s Office oversees investigations in the Tucson area where Nancy Guthrie was reported missing from her residence.
Second Note Claims Captive Perished Shortly After Abduction
A second, shorter communication reached the KOLD-13 newsdesk four days after the first email. In this message, the sender asserted that Nancy Guthrie had died shortly after being taken. “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 second note read, according to law enforcement records.
Investigators noted that the initial correspondence included specific details about the scene at the victim’s home. The first note stated that a white smart watch was left on the floor at the foot of the bed and that a white floodlight in the backyard had been destroyed. Friday marked six months since Nancy Guthrie was last seen prior to being reported missing the following day.
Frequently Asked Questions
When were the ransom notes sent to the newsdesk?
According to the Pima County Sheriff’s Office, the two notes were emailed to US outlet KOLD-13 on February 2 and February 6.
How much bitcoin was demanded in the first communication?
The initial note demanded $4 million USD in bitcoin by February 5, with threats to increase the amount to $6 million USD if unpaid by February 9.
What did the second message claim about Nancy Guthrie’s condition?
The second note claimed that she had perished shortly after being taken due to a suspected heart-related condition and was buried in nature.
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