Sheriff releases two ransom notes from early in Nancy Guthrie case

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI Phoenix Field Office have released two ransom notes that were sent to Nancy Guthrie’s family in the early days of her disappearance case.The purpose of the ransom notes’ release is to ask the public for help in identifying their writer.“These communications reveal distinctive patterns of word choice, syntax, and phraseology that reflect the writer’s unique linguistic style,” the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement on Friday. “They also provide valuable insight into the person’s mindset, motives, and the evolution of their tone over time. “We believe these distinctive linguistic characteristics may be recognizable to someone who knows or has interacted with the notes’ writer,” the sheriff’s department wrote. “A friend, family member, coworker, classmate, or acquaintance may recognize these patterns of expression and possess information that could help identify the individual responsible.”The investigation update comes nearly six months after Guthrie, 84, first went missing on Feb. 1. Authorities believe she was abducted from her home in Tucson, Arizona. It is unclear whether Guthrie is dead.The first note, sent to local CBS Tucson affiliate KOLD-TV on Feb. 2, demanded that Today show cohost Savannah Guthrie pay the ransom in bitcoin for her elderly mother’s release.“We have your mother Nancy,” the note stated. “She is safe but scared. 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 on [Feb. 9 at 5 p.m.], she will be killed.”The second note was sent to the same outlet on Feb. 6, this time addressed to the whole Guthrie family. The writing included devastating news for the family members.“We did not fully grasp the seriousness of her physical condition,” the follow-up note read. “We never intended to hurt her, that was not our intention. She perished shortly after she was taken. We believe it was heart related. She is buried in nature now.”Guthrie’s death is unconfirmed, as no proof of her captivity or death has been provided by her abductors. At the time of her kidnapping, the victim’s health was severely fragile due to her heart condition that required continued reliance on a pacemaker and daily medication.Savannah Guthrie posted a video on social media this week, pleading with the abductors to share her mother’s location.“I’m asking you, begging you, to do the right thing now,” she said. “Make the right choice. Help us find her. Tell us where to look for her.”TWO MEN TO FILE MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR WRONGFUL ARREST LAWSUIT IN NANCY GUTHRIE DISAPPEARANCE CASEThe Pima County Sheriff’s Department, as it continues working the case in coordination with the FBI, urged members of the public to come forward with any information they may have about the ransom notes.“Regardless of how insignificant you think your information may be, or whether you think we are already aware of it, please contact us,” the department said, promising a reward for any information that can generate more leads.