Nancy Guthrie ransom notes released; authorities seek public help

Authorities in Arizona released two ransom notes on Friday in the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, 84-year-old mother of NBC "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie, six months after she vanished from her home near Tucson on 31 January. The first note, sent to a local television station on 2 February, demanded $4 million in Bitcoin, stating that Nancy Guthrie was "safe but scared" and threatening to kill her if payment was not received by specified deadlines. The second note, received four days later, claimed that Guthrie had died shortly after being taken, stating the death may have been heart-related, and that she was "buried in nature now."

The Pima County Sheriff's Department and FBI released the notes publicly in hopes that someone would recognize the writer's distinctive linguistic patterns and writing style. Investigators also noted that doorbell camera footage may show an unidentified male preparing for the abduction on two separate days. The notes were sent from the same IP address, according to investigators familiar with the case. The sheriff's department appealed to the public to come forward, acknowledging that potential witnesses may fear retaliation, face conflicting loyalties, or distrust law enforcement.

Savannah Guthrie posted on social media on Saturday—six months after her mother's disappearance—expressing her family's despair and pleading for information. "We have lived every moment, every breath, and every heartbeat in agony and despair," she wrote on Instagram. She urged anyone recognizing the writing style in the ransom notes or who had observed unusual behaviour from someone they know to come forward. The family is offering a $1 million reward for information leading to Nancy's recovery; the FBI is offering up to $100,000 additional. Despite an intense investigation involving law enforcement and volunteers, no suspects have been arrested and no confirmation of Nancy Guthrie's status has been established by authorities.

Separately, two men detained and questioned early in the investigation—Carlos Palazuelos and Daniel Maddow—have filed a notice of claim seeking $3.25 million combined against Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos and law enforcement, alleging wrongful arrest, reputational harm, and property damage. Palazuelos is seeking $2.5 million; Maddow is seeking $500,000, and his mother is claiming $250,000 for damage to her home during a search. Both men were released without charge after questioning. Sheriff Nanos had posted on social media that Palazuelos was being questioned in connection with the case, which plaintiffs allege caused reputational and emotional harm. Nanos' office declined to comment on the legal claim.