Arizona authorities have released the full contents of two alleged ransom notes tied to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today Show host Savannah Guthrie, in hopes that the public can help identify whoever may be responsible for her suspected kidnapping.
The letters, which were sent to a news station following Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance six months ago, were read publicly by CNN correspondent Josh Campbell, who explained that investigators are asking people to carefully examine the language used in the notes for possible clues.
Before reading the messages on air, Campbell emphasized that authorities are not releasing the documents simply because of public interest in the case.
“They want this information out there to pay particular attention to the wording, to the syntax,” Campbell said. “Again, they’ve been asking if you know anyone who may have responsible for this, they want you to call authorities.”
He added, “I mean, we’re not reporting on this just because people are curious. We want you to actually look at some of the wording.”
According to Campbell, the first letter was dated Feb. 2, one day after investigators believe Nancy Guthrie was abducted.
The note claimed the elderly woman was alive but frightened while demanding millions of dollars in exchange for her release.
“This purported kidnapper says that ‘We have your mother. She’s safe but scared.’ They demand a ransom of $4 million,” Campbell said before continuing with additional portions of the message.
The letter warned that if payment was not received, the ransom demand would increase to $6 million by 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 9. It further stated that once payment was made to a listed bitcoin address, Nancy Guthrie would be released within 12 hours at what it described as a safe drop-off location in Tucson.
The note also contained a chilling warning, stating that if the money was not paid by the deadline, she would be killed. It concluded by telling the family that Nancy Guthrie was aware of the situation and that her life was in their hands.
Campbell then turned to a second letter dated Feb. 6, saying it appeared to confirm earlier reporting and suspicions that Nancy Guthrie may not have survived.
Reading from the second note, Campbell shared that the writer claimed they had not fully understood the seriousness of Nancy Guthrie’s physical condition.
The letter stated, “We never intended to hurt her, that was not our intention. She perished shortly after she was taken. We believe it was heart related.”
It continued by claiming she had been buried “in nature” and asserted that nothing the family could have done would have changed the outcome. The message ended with an apology, saying the writers hoped the family could someday find peace.
Campbell acknowledged that the contents of the second letter offered little comfort.
“Which, obviously, is very little consolation to the Guthrie family that has been grieving,” he said.
Earlier this week, Savannah Guthrie released an emotional video appeal directed at those responsible, pleading with them to reveal her mother’s location.
“So I’m asking you, begging you, to do the right thing now. Make the right choice. Help us find her. Tell us where to look for her,” Savannah Guthrie said.
“I truly believe it is never too late to do the right thing. Help us bring this situation to an end — for all of us, no matter where we’ve been and what we’ve done. I believe there is always a way home. Please make the right choice.”
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