TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) – A recent report indicates that a ransom note related to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie, reveals that the 84-year-old has died. Multiple news organizations, including CNN, are citing law enforcement sources regarding this development. Nancy Guthrie was reported missing from her home in the foothills near Tucson in early February 2026.
Following her disappearance, various media outlets received ransom notes connected to the case. CNN disclosed on Monday that one of these notes stated that Nancy Guthrie had died and that her kidnappers did not intend for her to be killed; however, she passed away shortly after being taken. CNN is aware of the content of at least one note, while a Tucson television station reported receiving multiple notes. Both CNN and the local station have agreed to withhold the full contents of these ransom notes to preserve the integrity of any future communications with the abductor(s) involved.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has refrained from commenting on the specifics of the note's contents, and the FBI has not responded to requests for further information. The Guthrie family has not made any immediate statements or posts on social media concerning the ransom notes as of Monday.
Jessica Bobula, the news director for KOLD, a Tucson-based television station, stated that they received several notes following Guthrie's disappearance. The station informed the authorities and has only communicated what they have been authorized to release regarding the notes. Investigators believe that Nancy Guthrie was kidnapped, abducted, or taken against her will, as evidenced by the discovery of blood near her front doorstep. Additionally, the FBI has released surveillance footage showing a masked individual on her porch on the night she went missing.
In the weeks that followed her disappearance, numerous volunteers and search teams scoured the harsh desert terrain surrounding Tucson, which is filled with cacti, bushes, and boulders. A volunteer group recently conducted an extensive search for her remains near the Arizona-Mexico border but did not report any findings. The investigation continues as authorities work diligently to uncover more information regarding her abduction and ultimate fate.
As this tragic story unfolds, it raises serious questions around the circumstances of Nancy Guthrie's disappearance and the implications of the recently discovered ransom notes. The community remains hopeful for answers while supporting the Guthrie family in this devastating time.
