Home / Crime and Justice / Ransom Notes Released: Kidnappers Claim Victim Died
Ransom Notes Released: Kidnappers Claim Victim Died
31 Jul
Summary
- Sheriff's office seeks public help identifying ransom note authors.
- One note demands $4 million in bitcoin; another claims victim died.
- Savannah Guthrie believes notes are real; FBI disputes their authenticity.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department has released two ransom notes connected to the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, appealing to the public for help in identifying the authors. These communications exhibit unique linguistic patterns that might be recognizable to acquaintances.
The first note, sent to a local news station's tip line, demanded the equivalent of $4 million in bitcoin by February 5 and warned of dire consequences if payment was not received. It stated, "We have your mother Nancy."
The second note addressed the entire Guthrie family, expressing regret and stating that Nancy Guthrie "perished shortly after she was taken," attributing her death to a heart-related issue. This note included an apology and suggested no actions could have altered the outcome.
The veracity of these messages has been questioned. Savannah Guthrie, Nancy's daughter, indicated she believes the notes are genuine, while the FBI has reportedly dismissed them as fake, as well as a third note sent to another outlet.
