A second message connected to the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie reportedly stated that she had died not long after being removed from her Arizona home. The note, sent several days after an earlier demand for ransom, marked a sharp shift in tone from the first communication and has remained one of the most closely examined pieces of correspondence in the investigation.

Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was last seen on the evening of January 31, 2026, when relatives dropped her off at her residence in the Catalina Foothills near Tucson. She was reported missing the next day after failing to appear for a virtual church service. Within days, media outlets in Tucson received two messages that investigators later linked to the case.

The first note, received on February 2, claimed Nancy was “safe but scared” and demanded payment in Bitcoin—starting at $4 million and rising to $6 million if ᴅᴇᴀᴅlines were missed—while threatening that she would be killed if the money was not received. The second note, sent on February 6 and addressed to the Guthrie family, took a completely different approach. It stated that the senders “did not fully grasp the seriousness of her physical condition,” that they “never intended to hurt her,” and that she “perished shortly after she was taken.” The writer suggested the death was heart-related and added that she was “buried in nature now.” The message closed with an expression of regret and the words “We are truly sorry.”

For months the full text of both notes was not released publicly. Early reports in June 2026, based on sources familiar with the investigation, first revealed that the second message claimed Nancy had died. Authorities and the family initially kept the exact wording private while investigators ᴀssessed authenticity and monitored for further contact.

On July 31, 2026—nearly six months after Nancy disappeared—the Pima County Sheriff’s Department publicly released the complete contents of both notes. Officials said the messages contained distinctive patterns of word choice, syntax, and phrasing that might be recognizable to someone who knew the writer. The department urged members of the public who noticed unusual behavior around the time of the disappearance—such as sudden changes in routine, unexplained absences, or other suspicious actions—to come forward.

Following the release, investigators reported a modest increase in tips. All of those tips were followed up, though none immediately resolved the case. The investigation remains active and is being conducted jointly by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI. A reward of up to $1 million continues to be offered for information leading to Nancy’s recovery or the identification of those responsible.

As of mid-August 2026, Nancy Guthrie has not been found and no suspects have been publicly named. Authorities have not confirmed the claims made in the second note and continue to treat the matter as an open investigation. The family has repeatedly expressed their determination to learn the truth and give Nancy the dignity of a proper resolution.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department tip line at 520-351-4900. Tips may be submitted anonymously.

Sources: https://people.com/second-nancy-guthrie-ransom-note-claimed-she-died-reports-12004536