Law enforcement reviews potential new ransom note in Guthrie case.
The PCSD/FBI Guthrie Task Force announced Monday it is reviewing a possible new ransom note in the Nancy Guthrie disappearance case. Investigators have not confirmed the note's contents or authenticity.
- Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen January 31 at her Tucson home.
- A sheriff's spokesperson told KOLD 13 there is 'some skepticism' about the note's validity.
- $1.2 million in reward money has been offered for information leading to her recovery.
- Two earlier notes sent to a Tucson TV station were made public by police in July.
Why it matters: The case has produced multiple unverified ransom communications. The FBI's Phoenix office said in July that some demands were deemed extortion attempts without legitimacy, while others remain under investigation.
- The two July notes demanded $4 million in Bitcoin for Guthrie's return, then claimed she had died of a heart condition.
- Those notes were considered likely authentic partly because one referenced specific details about Guthrie's home, including a broken floodlight and a smartwatch on her bedroom floor.
How 4 sources split on this story
Center coverage, 2 sources: The center frames the development as one episode in a long, evidence-thin investigation, emphasizing the pattern of unverified ransom notes and the family's ongoing uncertainty.
Right coverage, 1 sources: The right emphasizes the dramatic emergence of a potential third note as a significant new development, foregrounding official skepticism while highlighting the unresolved nature of the case.
What’s next: Investigators are monitoring social media discussion tied to the note while assessing its credibility.
- The last major update before Monday came August 17, when human remains found near Tucson were ruled unrelated to the case.
- What are the contents of the new note, and does it share details with the earlier authenticated communications?
- Who brought the note to law enforcement's attention, and through what channel?