Ransom Demands In Nancy Guthrie's Disappearance Revealed, Ex-FBI Agent Speaks Out On Investigation

The Pima County Sheriffs Office has recently revealed two ransom notes related to Nancy Guthrie's case, around six months after her disappearance.

Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of TODAY co-host Savannah Guthrie, vanished from her Tucson home on January 31, 2026. Authorities say she left behind her phone, medication, and wallet, and that DNA evidence confirmed she did not leave on her own.

For months, the case drew national attention as the family pleaded for her return. On July 31, 2026, investigators released two ransom notes for the first time, hoping the wording would lead to tips. The FBI says it is still treating the disappearance as a kidnapping-for-ransom investigation. 

Retired FBI agent responds to how the notes were released by the authorities

Nearly six months after Nancy Guthrie went missing, the Pima County Sheriff’s Office put out two ransom notes to the public on Friday. The goal is to get tips, specifically hoping someone recognizes the writing style or connects it to the limited doorbell-camera video they have.

But the move has raised questions about whether the notes are even real. Retired FBI agent Dan Brunner responded by saying that the release highlights a disconnect between local and federal investigators. Dan stated that earlier reports attributed to FBI sources claimed the notes had been set aside because they were believed to be fake. He also said:

“What's most disturbing to me right now is the miscommunication between the FBI and the county sheriff's department.”

Brunner also questioned why the notes were sent to certain Arizona news outlets in the first place, and said asking the public to identify handwriting suggests investigators don’t have much else to go on. Dan continued by saying:

“You’re now having one story coming out, multiple sources coming out of the FBI saying that these notes were fake, but yet, Pima County, the sheriff's department is putting out that these notes are to generate leads.”

Brunner added that if local officials were in sync with the FBI on the authenticity issue, they likely wouldn’t have published them. He also criticized current FBI leadership, saying that mistakes have made coordination harder for agents working with county teams. Brunner said that it may take time for things to settle since generating new leads will be tough.

Nancy Guthrie’s notes were revealed by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department

Six months after Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her Tucson home, investigators in Arizona have gone public with two ransom messages. The Pima County Sheriff’s Office posted them on July 31, 2026, saying that it is important evidence collected since the 84-year-old went missing on January 31, 2026. 

The goal, they said, is to get the public’s help in spotting the writing style and pointing them toward whoever sent them. Both messages were emailed to KOLD in early February. The first one landed on February 2, 2026, and was addressed to Nancy’s daughter and TODAY co-anchor, Savannah Guthrie. The writer claimed in the first note that Nancy was alive but frightened, and demanded money. It reads:

“If payment is not received, the ransom will be increased to 6 million USA, which will need to be paid by 5 PM on Monday the 9th. Once payment is received to the bitcoin address... she will be released within 12 hours of deposit to a safe drop-off location back in Tucson.”

The writer then warned that if the final deadline was missed, Guthrie would be killed. It told the family her life depended on them and urged them to act quickly. The note added that there would be no more contact, no negotiation, and that law enforcement could not help. In the second note, the anonymous individual said that Nancy Guthrie had died and that they did not understand how fragile her health was. It further 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. She is buried in nature now. Nothing you could have done could have changed the outcome. We want your family to know this and hope you all can find peace. We are truly sorry.”

The sheriff’s office said they believe distinctive phrasing or spelling in the notes could jog someone’s memory. They urged anyone with information about the notes or the disappearance to contact investigators. The officials also stated that people with information sometimes don’t come forward right away due to personal ties or concerns about safety and reputation, adding that those things can change over time.

What are your thoughts about the notes of Nancy Guthrie released by the authorities? Let us know.

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