The contents of a ransom note sent to an Arizona television station claim that Nancy Guthrie died shortly after she was abducted. The note was sent in February, shortly after Guthrie disappeared, and claimed that she died soon after her abduction. Guthrie, 84, is the mother of Today host Savannah Guthrie. She was last seen on Jan. 31 after spending time with her family. She was reported missing on Feb. 1 after not attending church.
Sources familiar with the Guthrie investigation reportedly said that her death was accidental, not the intention of the kidnappers, and apologized for her death. The note also claimed that Guthrie was “buried with nature now,” according to reports.
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Investigators also said the note did not offer a direct apology for abducting Guthrie. Sources claimed that the ransom note was delivered via email and was from the same IP address as a previous ransom note sent shortly after Guthrie’s disappearance was first reported. The note also reportedly included details from the night that she was abducted.
After Guthrie was abducted, the FBI released footage from the doorbell camera at her home showing an armed, masked man at her front door. Many ransom notes claiming to be from Guthrie’s abductors were sent to law enforcement authorities and different media outlets, but were deemed to be illegitimate. There were two notes believed to be valid, with the first demanding a ransom in cryptocurrency for her release. The second note, mentioned above, informed about Guthrie’s accidental death, according to ABC News. Both notes were sent shortly after her disappearance on Feb. 1.
The second ransom note, which mentioned Guthrie’s death, was known by CNN and a television station in Tucson, Arizona, CNN reported. However, both outlets honored a request from law enforcement officials not to publicize it to aid the investigation into Guthrie’s disappearance. CNN reported that law enforcement wanted to be able to authenticate future communications with the kidnapper or kidnappers.
After the revelation of Guthrie’s abduction, President Donald Trump allocated all available federal and local law enforcement to assist with the search.
“I am directing ALL Federal Law Enforcement to be at the family’s, and Local Law Enforcement’s, complete disposal, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump posted at the time. “We are deploying all resources to get her mother home safely. The prayers of our Nation are with her and her family. GOD BLESS AND PROTECT NANCY!”
Nancy Guthrie has been missing for over 20 weeks. Despite the presence of the note claiming she was deceased, the search for her is reportedly ongoing. There has been no official word from law enforcement officials or the Guthrie family about the veracity of the ransom note claiming she is dead.
