Guthrie Death Claim
Investigators Link DNA, IP Addresses to Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Notes Amid Conflicting Death Reports
Key Points
The second note reportedly states that Nancy Guthrie died shortly after abduction and was buried somewhere in nature.
The second note was delivered to NBC News' Arizona affiliate KOLD, with reports identifying the recipient as Jessica Bobula, the news director there.
Feb. 10 doorbell footage reportedly captured a masked intruder at Guthrie's home; a person of interest was arrested in the days that followed but was released, leaving the investigation unresolved at that stage.
Savannah Guthrie gave on-air remarks about the ongoing search for her mother, including expressing the personal toll of the situation and the plea for her return.
TMZ reported that the FBI authenticated the original ransom note and highlighted language suggesting time sensitivity had less urgency over time (time is no longer of the essence).
A second note sent to a Tucson TV station claims that 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie — mother of NBC Today co-host Savannah Guthrie — died shortly after her abduction and was buried somewhere in nature, according to KVOA. Investigators say both notes may be credible, and the FBI has shifted focus from a kidnapping case to what is now being treated as a homicide and recovery operation.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on January 31, 2026, at her Catalina Foothills home in Tucson, Arizona. She has been missing for more than 140 days. Authorities have not confirmed her death, and the case remains active.
Two Notes, One Grim Claim, No Apology
The first note arrived on February 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM, according to Extra TV. It was sent through an online tip system to KOLD-TV News Director Jessica Bobula. It demanded a multi-million dollar ransom in Bitcoin and said Nancy Guthrie was safe. Two deadlines passed — February 5 and February 9 — with no exchange.
On February 6, a second message reached KOLD. It made no financial demand. Instead, it claimed Nancy Guthrie had died and was buried in nature, according to Connect Radio. Bobula has refused to call it a ransom note, calling it a "message" instead. The FBI authenticated the original note, and SSBCrack News reported both letters are considered potentially credible by investigators.
Masked Intruder Caught on Camera, Suspect Released
On February 10, the FBI released doorbell camera footage from the night of the disappearance. It showed a masked, armed individual tampering with the camera outside Guthrie's Tucson home. Authorities identified the person as a suspect. A person of interest was arrested in the days that followed but was later released, leaving the case unresolved at that stage, according to KVOA.
The abduction site made the search difficult. The Catalina Foothills area has long driveways and thick desert foliage. Search teams said the terrain made finding evidence or remains extremely hard. Former FBI agents noted the crime was "intricately planned" — the suspects left no recoverable DNA and bypassed high-end home security systems.
Savannah Guthrie Pleads Publicly, Returns to Air After Two Months
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings made multiple public pleas. After the second note arrived, Savannah's tone shifted. "We received your message and we understand... we beg you now to return our mother to us so we can celebrate with her," she said, according to SSBCrack News. The family also offered a $1 million reward for information leading to her return.
Savannah took a two-month leave from the Today show before returning on April 6, 2026. She told viewers she had been "crying coming to and from work every day." She described appearing cheerful on air while carrying constant "pain and heartache" at home. The FBI also posted a $50,000 federal reward for information.
Homicide Detectives Called In Early as Investigation Escalates
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos made an unusual call early in the case. He sent homicide detectives to the scene within hours — not standard practice for a missing person report. He said surveyors gave investigators reason for "serious concern" from the start. "The clock is literally ticking," Nanos warned on February 3, citing Nancy's pacemaker and need for daily blood pressure medication, according to KVOA.
The FBI confirmed it is actively tracking the digital trail behind the notes. The messages were sent through various IP addresses, suggesting the suspects had a sophisticated level of digital awareness. As of June 22, 2026, authorities have not confirmed Nancy Guthrie's fate. The Pima County Sheriff's Department is now operating on a recovery basis, according to Connect Radio.
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