Newly Released Nancy Guthrie Ransom Notes May Trigger ‘Response from the Community’ and Break the Case, Sheriff Believes

The lead sheriff on Nancy Guthrie’s abduction case is speaking out about the decision to publicly release two ransom notes connected to the 84-year-old’s disappearance, as the investigation has now entered its sixth month.

Chris Nanos with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) said in a video posted on X on Saturday, Aug. 1, that he hopes someone will come forward with information about Nancy’s abduction after the two letters were released in full on Friday, July 31.

“We just saw what was being said, and we felt like we needed to put something out that’s really accurate, and this was the time,” Nanos explained. “Investigators felt like there’s a number of pieces of information in these notes that it just might jog someone to say, ‘I’ve heard that,’ or [recognize] the wording, the style of the writing. It might jog somebody to think about who would’ve written this, how was this done?”

“My investigators, we look at it, and clearly there’s things in there that are very concerning to our investigative team. So we hope that by releasing the actual note we’ll get some response from the community,” he continued.

On July 31, authorities publicly released the full text of two ransom notes sent out to several news outlets, including Arizona CBS affiliate KOLD-TV 13 News, on Feb. 2 — the day after Nancy was abducted from her Tucson, Ariz., home on Feb. 1 — and again on Feb. 6.

The first note, addressed to Nancy’s daughter, Savannah Guthrie, read, in part: “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 second note, addressed to the Guthrie family, was shorter and claimed that Nancy had died unintentionally.

“We did not fully grasp the seriousness of her physical condition,” the sender wrote. “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. Nothing you could have done could have changed the outcome. We want your family to know this and hope you all can find peace. We are truly sorry.”

Nanos said in his Aug. 1 video that the case continues to be a “very active investigation.” He added that Savannah, 54, and the rest of the Guthrie family were aware that the ransom notes would be released.

“We think somebody knows something. We hope that by releasing some of this information, it will jog somebody,” he reiterated.

“A lot of people have called us with information. We also know a lot of people are hesitant to do so … Someone knows who this person is, someone knows something — we want that person to call us,” continued Nanos.

Of the overall investigation now entering its sixth month, Nanos stated, “We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us.”

“We’ve done a lot of work, but we still have more,” he continued, explaining the importance of “forensics” and the “analysis of thousands and thousands of videos [and] photos.”

“And we also have, still, tens of thousands of tips that have come in and we are actively working on,” Nanos added.

Nanos also addressed criticism of the investigation, specifically tied to the release of possible suspects involved in Nancy’s abduction.

“We’ve served a few search warrants, we talked to individuals, and we move on, because if the evidence is there we continue that path, but that doesn’t mean those individuals are cleared,” he said. “It just means we met with them because we felt like there was a need, there was probable cause established through evidence … and presented to a court, and we went on.”

“Does that mean those individuals are cleared? Not necessarily. It just means that we took a look at something that was concerning to us and now the evidence takes us elsewhere,” added Nanos.

Nanos further insisted that the Guthrie family “are not and have not been suspects in this investigation.” He added, “They are victims. Victims of a very horrific crime.”

Savannah made an emotional plea for the safe return of her mom in a lengthy Instagram post on Aug. 1.

“We are begging for help. We are desperate. We need someone to come forward,” she wrote. “Someone knows something. Someone suspects something. Someone recognizes the writing in the ransom demand notes. Someone has noticed something different, strange, troubling or just unusual — perhaps with someone they deeply love.”

“Perhaps they are afraid to come forward. Perhaps they are conflicted. Perhaps they are angry or upset for being in this situation,” Savannah continued. “There is a way out — to tell what you know. You can do so anonymously. The reward is available. There is a way to end this situation and do the right thing.”

A $100,000 reward has been offered by the FBI for any information leading to Nancy’s recovery or an arrest in the case. Savannah and her family have since offered a separate $1 million reward.