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Two ransom notes sent to local and national news outlets in connection with the disappearance of Today show host Savannah Guthrie‘s mother, Nancy Guthrie, continue to provide more questions than answers.
“I think the sheriff’s office officially releasing the notes was probably trying to capitalize on that six-month moment,” NewsNation’s senior national correspondent Brian Entin exclusively shared with Us in a new cover story focused on Nancy’s disappearance. “It would be a good time to release the notes and that maybe it could drum up some new interest and maybe an important tip to come in.”
On July 31, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department released two ransom notes that authorities say “provide valuable insight into the mindset, motives and the evolution of their tone over time.”
The first note was sent to CBS Tucson affiliate KOLD-TV on February 2 and was addressed to Savannah, 54. (Nancy was reported missing on February 1 after not attending a virtual church service.)
“We have your mother Nancy. She is safe but scared,” the note read. “She will be held for ransom and once payment is received, she will be released unharmed. … If payment is not received by the last deadline … she will be killed.”
The letter also stated Nancy had a white smartwatch at the foot of her bed and that a floodlight had been damaged in her backyard.
A separate note, also sent to KOLD-TV, was addressed to the Guthrie family on February 6. It said Nancy “perished shortly after she was taken” and was “buried in nature.”
“Nothing you could have done could have changed the outcome,” the letter stated. “We want your family to know this and hope you all can find peace. We are truly sorry.”
Ana Belmonte, an assistant professor of forensic psychology at The Chicago School who is unaffiliated with the case, found the notes believable.
“The inclusion of the information about Nancy’s smartwatch and the damaged light indicates the source of the note is likely credible,” Belmonte told Us.
Retired FBI agent Scott Curtis, who isn’t working on the case, said he doesn’t “put a lot of significance” into the notes because they’re not handwritten and could therefore be AI-generated.
Forensic linguist Dr. Carole Chaski, who is also unaffiliated with the investigation, also had doubts about the letters.
“[One] part of this note that I thought was interesting is ‘We have your mother’ — present tense. ‘She is safe but scared’ — Present tense,” Chaski continued. “‘She will be held for ransom’ — future. She is being held for ransom. If it’s for real, you know. I’m not sure this note is for real. Because of that tense shift.”
Chaski continued, “The reality is there’s no reason for it to shift to the future. The future shift comes normally later, which it does in this note when it says she will be released. So that makes sense because that’s talking about what’s going to happen in the real future. But what’s happening in the real present is that she’s being held for ransom, not that she will be held for ransom.”
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has assured the public that investigators are still working the case. Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tips can remain anonymous.
For more on Nancy, pick up the latest issue of Us – on newsstands now.
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