New details have emerged in the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of TODAY co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, after the contents of the first reported ransom note were publicly revealed for the first time.
The message, which surfaced shortly after Nancy disappeared from her Tucson, Arizona, home earlier this year, was discussed on the Crime Junkie podcast by crime journalist Briana Whitney. Authorities continue investigating the communication while working to determine whether it is connected to Nancy’s disappearance.
“Hello Savannah, We Have Your Mother”
According to the report, the note opened with a direct message to Savannah Guthrie:
“Hello Savannah, we have your mother.”
The writer claimed Nancy was alive and instructed the family not to contact law enforcement. The note demanded $4 million in Bitcoin, warning that the amount would increase to $6 million if payment was delayed beyond a specified deadline.
The sender also claimed Nancy’s life depended on the family’s compliance.
Details Raised Questions for Investigators
One of the reasons investigators took the communication seriously was that it reportedly contained specific references to Nancy’s home.
According to Whitney, the note mentioned details that were not widely known publicly, including items inside the residence and damage near the property’s security equipment.
Those references prompted investigators to examine whether the sender had firsthand knowledge of the scene or had obtained information through another source.
Second Message Claimed Nancy Had Died
Months later, a second communication surfaced.
Unlike the first, it did not request additional money. Instead, it claimed Nancy had died shortly after being taken and had been buried in a remote natural area.
Crime analysts have noted unusual wording throughout both messages, suggesting the possibility that the author may not have been a native English speaker, though investigators have not publicly endorsed that theory.
Investigation Remains Active
Nancy Guthrie disappeared on Jan. 31 after investigators believe a masked individual approached her Tucson home.
Surveillance footage reportedly captured someone tampering with her doorbell camera before her disappearance, and authorities have continued searching for evidence while reviewing forensic material collected from the residence.
Savannah Guthrie and her family have repeatedly appealed to the public for information and continue offering a substantial reward for credible tips.
Authenticity Still Under Review
Despite the newly released details, investigators have not publicly confirmed that the ransom note originated from whoever was responsible for Nancy’s disappearance.
Authorities continue evaluating every communication received throughout the investigation as they work to separate potentially credible evidence from misleading information.
For Nancy’s family, however, the publication of the note provides another painful reminder of the uncertainty they have lived with for months while hoping for answers about what happened to their loved one.
