A prominent forensic psychologist has cast significant doubt on the legitimacy of the two ransom notes linked to the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, while still supporting law enforcement’s decision to release them publicly. Dr. Kris Mohandie told Fox News Digital that he does not believe the messages are genuine, though he emphasizes that investigators are right to examine every possible lead in the ongoing search.

Nancy Guthrie vanished from her home in the Catalina Foothills near Tucson, Arizona, on the evening of January 31, 2026. She was reported missing the following day after failing to appear at church. Her daughter, Savannah Guthrie, co-host of NBC’s Today show, and the rest of the family have continued to seek answers more than six months later.

Two notes were sent to a Tucson television station in early February. The first claimed Nancy was alive and “safe but scared,” demanded millions of dollars in Bitcoin, and set payment ᴅᴇᴀᴅlines. The second message, sent days later, stated that she had died shortly after being taken and had been “buried in nature,” with the writer expressing regret and saying there had been no intention to harm her.

Dr. Mohandie pointed to several elements that raise questions about authenticity. He noted inconsistencies in the language, including shifts between “we” and “I,” the formal word choice “perished,” and the overall structure of the demands. He also observed that the writer appears comfortable with technology, referencing Bitcoin and email communication — details that could help identify the author whether the notes prove genuine or not.

Regarding specific details mentioned in the first note, such as an Apple Watch near the bed and a damaged floodlight, Mohandie cautioned that these may not prove the writer was at the scene. Such information, he said, could have become known through other means and does not necessarily confirm authenticity.

Despite his skepticism, Mohandie supports the decision by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department to release the full contents of the notes on July 31. He compared the strategy to the Unabomber case, in which publishing the manifesto ultimately helped solve the investigation when someone recognized the writing style. “A good investigation keeps an open mind,” he said.

In Mohandie’s view, the most significant publicly known evidence remains the surveillance footage of an unidentified man at Nancy’s front door around the time she disappeared. He described the images as more consistent with a burglary or home invasion than a carefully planned kidnapping. “Unfortunately, I think this case is a simple matter of a burglary gone wrong and then attempts to cover things up,” he stated, while stressing that this remains only a hypothesis and that investigators are examining all possibilities.

The man in the doorbell video has not been identified. Authorities describe him as approximately 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall with an average build, carrying a black Ozark Trail backpack. One individual who sent separate fake ransom demands earlier in the case has already pleaded guilty.

The total rewards offered in the case now exceed $1.2 million, none of which has been claimed. Investigators continue to urge anyone with information to contact the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the local tip line at 520-88-CRIME. Tips can be submitted anonymously.

While the release of the notes generated a modest increase in public tips, the fundamental questions surrounding Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance remain unanswered. The investigation continues with an emphasis on following every credible lead.