Sheriff unveils Nancy Guthrie ransom notes claiming 'she perished' after abduction

TUCSON, Arizona: Nearly six months after Nancy Guthrie disappeared, investigators have publicly released two ransom notes allegedly written by her kidnappers in hopes that someone recognizes the author's writing style and helps identify the person behind the crime.

The notes, made public on Thursday, July 30, include one that claims the 84-year-old "perished shortly after she was taken" and was "buried in nature." Authorities said releasing the messages could generate fresh leads in the high-profile investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of 'Today' co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. 

Sheriff releases Nancy Guthrie ransom notes in bid for new leads

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos released the two messages on the six-month anniversary of Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.

The department said the notes "purport to have been written by kidnappers" and were originally sent to KOLD-TV 13 News, a CBS affiliate in Tucson.

The first message was sent on February 2, one day after Nancy was last seen alive on January 31.

Addressed directly to Savannah Guthrie, the note demanded between $4 million and $6 million in Bitcoin in exchange for Nancy's safe return.

The message claimed Nancy was "safe but scared" and warned, "Her life is in your hands."

The writer also included two details intended to prove they had been inside Nancy's home, writing, "She had a white smart watch on the floor of the foot of her bed and the white flood light in the backyard was destroyed."

Nancy, who was 84 years old at the time of her disappearance, is the mother of the longtime 'Today' show co-anchor.

Second ransom note claims Nancy Guthrie 'perished shortly after she was taken'

A second email was sent to the same news outlet's tips line on February 6, after the first ransom deadline had already passed. Instead of demanding payment, the writer claimed Nancy had died.

The message read, "Guthrie Family, We did not fully grasp the seriousness of her physical condition. We never intended to hurt her, that was not our intention. She perished shortly after she was taken. We believe it was heart related."

The note continued by claiming Nancy "is buried in nature now" before adding, "Nothing you could have done could have changed the outcome. We want your family to know this and hope you can all find peace. We are truly sorry."

According to investigators, Nancy had a serious heart condition and was without her medication when she disappeared.

Investigators hope writing style identifies Nancy Guthrie suspect

The Pima County Sheriff's Department said the decision to release the notes now is part of an effort to generate fresh investigative leads.

In a press release, the department said it hopes members of the public recognize the author's "distinctive patterns of word choice, syntax and phraseology."

Investigators believe those linguistic characteristics may be familiar to someone who has interacted with the writer.

"They also provide valuable insight into the person's mindset, motives and the evolution of their tone over time," the release states.

The department added, "As with the unidentified male depicted in the video, we believe these distinctive linguistic characteristics may be recognizable to someone who knows or has interacted with the notes' writer. A friend, family member, coworker, classmate or acquaintance may recognize these patterns of expression and possess information that could help identify the individual responsible."

Investigators also reminded the public that doorbell camera footage of the suspected kidnapper was released on February 10.