A ransom note delivered to the family of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie days after she was abducted from her home claimed that she had died.
According to new information from investigators, the note in question was one of two addressed to Nancy’s relatives, including US TV host Savannah Guthrie. The first note reportedly demanded millions of dollars in bitcoin for her safe return. The second, meanwhile, claimed she had perished.
The second note from Guthrie’s potential kidnappers elaborated that they had not intended for her to die, and included a subsequent apology.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department described the investigation as “active and ongoing.”
“The Pima County Sheriff’s Department continues to work closely with the FBI as investigators follow up on leads, review information, and pursue the facts surrounding this case,” a spokesperson for the sheriff’s department said.
Nancy has been missing since the evening of January 31. A large-scale investigation has been ongoing for months, with numerous theories surrounding the case. Recently, criticism has been directed at Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos.
FBI Director Kash Patel claimed weeks ago that authorities in Arizona delayed the FBI’s involvement early in the investigation.
“What we, the FBI, do is say, ‘Hey, we’re here to help,’” Patel told Sean Hannity. “What do you need, what can we do? And for four days, we were kept out of the investigation.”
A Mexican group dedicated to locating missing people recently joined the search for Guthrie after receiving an anonymous tip claiming she may be buried near the U.S.-Mexico border in an unmarked grave, according to the New York Post.
After receiving two notes from alleged kidnappers, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings released a video addressed to the people who had abducted their mother.
“We received your message, and we understand,” the TV host said. “We beg you now to return our mother to us.” She said the family “would pay”.
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