Nancy Guthrie ransom letter claimed she was dead

New reporting on Nancy Guthrie cites a second ransom note alleging she was dead, as FBI and local authorities continue an active investigation in Tucson.

Multiple outlets reported Monday, June 22, that a follow-up note surfaced after Nancy Guthrie’s suspected abduction and contained a claim that she had died. The note and its contents have not been publicly verified by authorities.

Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing after an alleged kidnapping in Tucson, Arizona, on Feb. 1. The case has drawn national attention because her daughter is “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie.

What the latest reporting says about the notes

NBC News, ABC News and CBS News said a second message was issued soon after the disappearance and asserted Nancy Guthrie was dead. The outlets attributed the information to unnamed people described as familiar with the matter or to sources who said they reviewed the notes.

The initial note had been described as an unverified ransom message that was sent to at least one news organization. Four months after the Feb. 1 disappearance, details about that earlier message are now becoming public through media reporting.

Because the notes have not been authenticated in public statements by investigators, it remains unclear who wrote them, how they were transmitted, and whether they are connected to the person or people responsible for Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.

Law enforcement: FBI leading questions on ransom communications

USA TODAY reported it contacted the FBI and Savannah Guthrie’s representatives seeking comment. A spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said inquiries about ransom notes should be directed to the FBI.

In a statement, the sheriff’s department said the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance is “active and ongoing.” The department added that it is working closely with the FBI while investigators pursue leads and evaluate incoming information.

Authorities have not publicly confirmed the existence of the reported second note, nor have they released information indicating whether any ransom demand was made, paid, or negotiated. The sheriff’s department emphasized that investigators are continuing to review facts related to the case.

Family impact and public timeline

Savannah Guthrie temporarily stepped away from her on-air duties in February, shortly after her mother’s disappearance. She later returned to anchoring duties in April.

In a March interview with “Today” colleague Hoda Kotb, Guthrie became emotional while discussing the family’s uncertainty. She said she and her siblings were “in agony” and described the experience as “unbearable.”

The emergence of reported new details about the notes underscores how little has been publicly resolved months into the case. For investigators, communications presented as ransom messages can be significant because they may contain traceable technical or linguistic clues, but they can also be used to mislead or distract.

For now, officials say the inquiry remains underway, with the FBI and local detectives continuing to follow up on leads. The next key development to watch is whether federal or local authorities publicly confirm the authenticity of any notes or provide an update on the status of the missing-person investigation.