{"id":720932,"date":"2026-06-23T09:57:20","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T09:57:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/720932\/"},"modified":"2026-06-23T09:57:20","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T09:57:20","slug":"nancy-guthrie-ransom-note-connected-to-her-disappearance-said-she-had-died","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/720932\/","title":{"rendered":"Nancy Guthrie: Ransom note connected to her disappearance said she had died"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n A note sent to media outlets in February connected to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie<\/a>, mother of NBC \u201cToday\u201d show anchor Savannah Guthrie, said she had died, multiple law enforcement sources briefed on the investigation told CNN.\n <\/p>\n

\n It followed a first note that demanded a ransom of millions of dollars. Investigators believed they are legitimate communications from the kidnappers. The second note said Nancy Guthrie was dead \u2014 and they did not mean to kill her, but she died shortly after the kidnapping, according to the law enforcement sources.\n <\/p>\n

\n The family responded with an emotional video<\/a> on February 7 when Savannah Guthrie said, \u201cWe received your message, and we understand.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\n The contents of the second note were known to CNN and a Tucson, Arizona, television station\u2019s local news department that received both notes.\n <\/p>\n

\n CNN and the news station agreed to a request from law enforcement and the family to hold off on reporting the contents of both notes so any future communications with the kidnapper or kidnappers could be authenticated.\n <\/p>\n

\"Nancy<\/p>\n

\n Questions surrounding the ransom note resurfaced Monday after TMZ founder Harvey Levin posted a video<\/a> addressing reports about a letter related to Nancy Guthrie.\n <\/p>\n

\n Levin said claims that he received a ransom note apologizing to Savannah Guthrie and her family for Nancy Guthrie\u2019s kidnapping and death were false.\n <\/p>\n

\n According to Levin, the note stated Nancy Guthrie was \u201cscared but OK\u201d but made no mention of an apology or her death.\n <\/p>\n

\n Levin said TMZ had received several emails from an individual claiming to know the alleged kidnappers and Nancy Guthrie\u2019s whereabouts, seeking approximately $100,000 in exchange for information.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cThere\u2019s something about those emails that made me believe that this guy may well have known who the kidnappers were,\u201d he said.\n <\/p>\n

\n The FBI never paid the person sending the emails, Levin noted, even after TMZ offered to foot the bill.\n <\/p>\n

\n The Pima County Sheriff\u2019s Department, which has been leading the case since Nancy Guthrie\u2019s disappearance about 5 months ago, told CNN on Monday the investigation remains \u201cactive and ongoing,\u201d and directed other questions regarding the ransom notes to the FBI.\n <\/p>\n

\n The Phoenix FBI did not immediately respond to CNN\u2019s request for comment Monday.\n <\/p>\n

\n More than 20 weeks have passed since Guthrie was reported missing on February 1, after security cameras at her Arizona home captured a masked man carrying a handgun.\n <\/p>\n

\n Few answers have emerged about Guthrie\u2019s location or what may have happened to her despite an extensive investigation by authorities and assistance from community members.\n <\/p>\n

\n Throughout the investigation, various media outlets have received purported ransom notes from individuals claiming to be involved in Guthrie\u2019s disappearance. However, officials have said little about the authenticity of the letters, leaving questions about their authenticity unanswered.\n <\/p>\n

\n This story has been updated with additional information.\n <\/p>\n