On Friday, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department released two ransom notes tied to the February abduction of 84‑year‑old Nancy Guthrie.
Guthrie was taken from her home in Pima County, Arizona, on February 1. Police have not identified a suspect, and the FBI has circulated images and video of a masked individual believed to be involved.
The notes, dated February 2 and February 6, were made public by the sheriff’s office as part of the ongoing investigation.
The first note was addressed to Guthrie’s daughter, Savannah, and claimed the victim was being held for ransom. It demanded $4 million in Bitcoin to be delivered by 5 p.m. on February 5, warning that the amount would rise to $6 million if the deadline was missed.
The message further warned that failure to meet the second deadline of 5 p.m. on February 9 would result in the victim’s death, and it asserted that law enforcement could not intervene. It also referenced a white smartwatch found near the victim’s bed and a destroyed floodlight in the backyard.
A second note, sent a few days later, alleged that Guthrie had died shortly after her kidnapping, describing the cause as heart‑related and stating she had been buried in a natural setting. The note expressed remorse and offered condolences to the family, claiming nothing could have changed the outcome.
Authorities continue to search for the perpetrator and have not confirmed the authenticity of the ransom demands. The investigation remains active, with law enforcement urging anyone with information to come forward.
