A second ransom note linked to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie claimed the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie had died shortly after being taken from her Arizona home and that she had been “buried in nature.”

The note, which authorities have now made public, marked a sharp shift in tone from an earlier demand that sought millions in Bitcoin. According to the text, the death was not intentional and was believed to be related to heart problems. “She is buried in nature now. Nothing you could have done could have changed the outcome. We are truly sorry,” the message stated.

Details of the Notes
The first note, sent in the early days after Nancy vanished on February 1, 2026, demanded a large sum in cryptocurrency and included specific details about the crime scene that had not been widely released at the time, such as a white smartwatch on the floor and a broken backyard floodlight. It also contained threats if the demand was not met.

The second note arrived while that deadline was still approaching and abandoned the ransom demand entirely. Instead it reported that Nancy had died and offered what appeared to be an expression of regret.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said the decision to release the notes was intended to generate new leads. Investigators hope the unusual phrasing and specific details might prompt someone who recognises the writing style or content to come forward.

Investigation Continues
Nancy Guthrie was last seen on the evening of January 31 after being dropped off at her home in the Catalina Foothills near Tucson. Authorities believe she was abducted in the early hours of February 1. A masked figure was captured on her Nest doorbell camera, blood was found on the front porch, and her pacemaker monitoring system disconnected around the same time.

Multiple notes circulated in the weeks after her disappearance. Savannah Guthrie has said publicly that she and her family believed two of the messages they received were authentic. Some other notes were later determined to be false, and at least one person has pleaded guilty to sending a fake demand.

The FBI and local investigators have examined DNA recovered from the home and continue to pursue leads. A combined reward of more than $1 million remains available for information that helps solve the case.

Nancy Guthrie has not been found. The investigation remains active as authorities urge anyone with knowledge of the notes or the events surrounding her disappearance to contact them.

Main Sources: BBC, NewsNation, Associated Press / PBS reporting, and statements from Pima County authorities.