Investigators in Arizona are examining a new possible ransom note linked to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today show presenter Savannah Guthrie, nearly eight months after she vanished from her home.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said on Monday, September 28, that its joint task force with the FBI had been alerted to the latest message and was assessing whether it was genuine.
“Investigators are also aware of social media comments regarding the note,” the department said, adding that officers were “looking further into this and working to determine credibility”.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen on the evening of January 31, when relatives dropped her off at her home in Tucson’s Catalina Foothills. Her family reported her missing the following day after she failed to attend church.
Authorities believe she was taken against her will. Doorbell-camera footage released by the FBI showed a masked man outside the property, wearing gloves and carrying a backpack, before the camera was disabled.
The case has generated a number of alleged ransom communications. Media organisations, including TMZ, have reported receiving messages demanding payment in bitcoin, although the FBI said in July that some of the notes had been assessed as illegitimate extortion attempts.
In a separate development, the sheriff’s department publicly released two earlier notes in July in an effort to identify their author. One demanded millions of dollars in bitcoin, while another claimed Nancy had died shortly after being abducted. Investigators have not publicly confirmed that either message was written by her abductor.
Warning over money requests linked to Nancy Guthrie case
The latest announcement follows a warning issued in July about social media posts containing a QR code and requesting money in connection with the investigation.
“PCSD will never ask for money related to this case, or any investigation,” the sheriff’s department said at the time, urging people not to send money to strangers or scan QR codes requesting payment.
No one has been charged in connection with Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. Her family and the FBI are offering a reward of more than $1 million for information leading to her recovery.
Anyone with information is being asked to contact the FBI on 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
