Ransom note claims Nancy Guthrie, mother of 'Today' show host Savannah Guthrie, died after kidnapping

Following the February 2026 disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, media outlets have revealed the contents of a second ransom note claiming she died shortly after being kidnapped. While the first note demanded millions in cryptocurrency, the second expressed regret for her death. Savannah Guthrie made an emotional on-air plea for information on June 23, 2026, as a combined $1.1 million reward remains active.

Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case

• ▪Investigators believe Nancy Guthrie was taken against her will after finding blood near her front doorstep and recovering doorbell camera footage of an armed, masked man outside her home
• ▪Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing from her home near Tucson, Arizona, on February 1, 2026

Ransom notes claiming death

• ▪A second ransom note sent to media outlets in February 2026 indicated that Nancy Guthrie had died shortly after her disappearance, though the kidnappers did not intend to kill her
• ▪The first ransom note demanded millions of dollars in cryptocurrency for Nancy Guthrie's release, whereas the second note contained no payment demands or apologies for the abduction itself

Law enforcement investigation strategy

• ▪Law enforcement officials believe the two ransom notes came from the same electronic source or secure server, despite originating from different IP addresses
• ▪The Pima County Sheriff's Department and the FBI declined to comment on the contents of the ransom notes, stating that the investigation remains active and ongoing

Media reporting coordination

• ▪Journalists withheld details of the second note because of concerns that publicizing her death would cause the public to lose interest and stop submitting tips
• ▪CNN, KOLD-TV, and other media outlets initially agreed to a law enforcement request to withhold the contents of the ransom notes to protect the investigation and authenticate future communications

Savannah Guthrie public appeals

• ▪Savannah Guthrie appeared on the Today show on June 23, 2026, pleading in tears for anyone with information to come forward and help end her family's agony
• ▪The Guthrie family and authorities are offering a combined $1.1 million reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie's recovery and the conviction of suspects

TMZ payment offer attempts

• ▪TMZ founder Harvey Levin stated that TMZ received emails from an individual claiming to know the kidnappers and seeking $100,000 in exchange for information
• ▪The FBI declined to pay the individual seeking $100,000 for information, even after TMZ offered to cover the cost of the payment