FBI Doubts Authenticity of Ransom Notes in Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Case

New details have emerged in the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, who has been missing from her Tucson home for nearly six months, after portions of a purported ransom note were made public for the first time. The contents of the note were read by former Arizona television reporter Briana Whitney on the Crime Junkie true-crime podcast. However, the document has not been officially authenticated, and the FBI has stated that it does not believe any of the ransom notes linked to the case are genuine.

According to reports, the note was addressed to Guthrie's daughter, Savannah, and began with the words, "We have your mother Nancy." It claimed that Nancy was "safe but scared" and would be held for up to seven days. The message allegedly demanded an initial ransom of $4 million in Bitcoin, warning that the amount would increase to $6 million if payment was delayed. It further claimed that Guthrie would be released in Tucson within 12 hours after the money was received.

The note also contained threats intended to pressure the family into complying with the demand. It reportedly warned that if payment was not made by the stated deadline, Nancy Guthrie would be killed, while insisting there would be no negotiations and that law enforcement would be unable to help. Despite the alarming language, investigators have maintained that the ransom communications are not considered credible based on the evidence gathered so far.

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Investigators were nevertheless intrigued by certain details contained in the note. Reports said it referenced the location of Guthrie's Apple Watch and mentioned a damaged floodlight outside her home—details that appeared to correspond with information known during the investigation. These references raised questions about how the writer obtained such information, although authorities have not publicly explained why they concluded the notes were not authentic. A second purported ransom note later surfaced, claiming that Guthrie had died due to an undisclosed medical condition.

Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her Tucson residence during the early hours of February 1. She was reported missing after failing to attend church the following morning. As part of the investigation, the FBI released doorbell camera footage showing a masked individual, believed to be armed, tampering with a security camera outside her home. The suspect was described as approximately 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, of average build, and carrying a black backpack.

The investigation remains active, and no arrests have been made in connection with the disappearance. Guthrie's daughter, Savannah Guthrie, an anchor with NBC's Today show, has repeatedly appealed to the public for information that could help locate her mother. Law enforcement agencies continue to urge anyone with relevant information to come forward as they work to determine what happened in the case.

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