TUCSON — The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI Guthrie Task Force are investigating the credibility of a new possible ransom note related to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie. Authorities have not confirmed whether Guthrie is still alive.

Guthrie disappeared from her home outside Tucson on February 1, 2026. She vanished without her phone or critical medications. The 84-year-old was a retired teacher and community volunteer in Tucson, Arizona, with no prior criminal record or history of mental health issues, according to public records from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.

Guthrie had a history of health issues, including heart conditions, which may have contributed to her death according to the second ransom note. She is considered a vulnerable adult who has difficulty walking, has a pacemaker, and needs daily medication for a heart condition.

The second ransom note, sent on February 6, stated that Guthrie died shortly after she was kidnapped. This note claimed: "We did not fully grasp the seriousness of her physical condition." It continued: "We never intended to hurt her, that was not our intention. She perished shortly after she was taken." The authors wrote: "We believe it was heart related. She is buried in nature now." The message concluded: "Nothing you could have done could have changed the outcome. We want your family to know this and hope you all can find peace. We are truly sorry." Forensic psychologist Gary Brucato suggested in August that the two ransom notes were written by two different people.

The FBI released surveillance videos showing a masked person tampering with a camera on Guthrie’s front porch and blocking it with a plant. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has stated that hair found inside Guthrie’s home has been tested for DNA but has not led to any suspect identification. No suspects have been arrested in Guthrie's disappearance. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has been working with the FBI since the beginning of the investigation and has released some details about the ransom notes in an effort to generate new leads.

Human remains were found in a desert area near West Ajo Way and South La Cholla Boulevard in Tucson on August 17, 2026. The location where human remains were found is approximately 15 miles from Guthrie's home. Authorities stated there is no indication at this time that the human remains found in August are connected to Guthrie's disappearance. In 2025, the Arizona State Land Department issued a warning about increased activity near desert areas near Tucson, including the location where human remains were found in August 2026, due to concerns about illegal dumping and unauthorized access to protected land.

Timeline

The first ransom note, sent on February 2, stated Guthrie was safe but scared and demanded $4 million in cryptocurrency for her release.

That note stated: "If payment is not recieved by the last deadline on Monday the 9th at 5PM, she will be killed." It further stated that if payment was not received by 5 p.m. on February 9, the ransom would increase to $6 million. The note also stated: "Your mother is aware of this and her life is in your hands."

This note stated: "We did not fully grasp the seriousness of her physical condition."

What's New

The FBI Guthrie Task Force was established in 2026 following Guthrie's disappearance, and it is composed of agents from the FBI Phoenix Division, Pima County Sheriff’s Department, and local law enforcement agencies, as confirmed by an FBI press release. The task force was established in February 2026, shortly after Guthrie’s disappearance, to coordinate federal and local efforts in the investigation. In 2023, the FBI Guthrie Task Force successfully resolved a similar kidnapping-for-ransom case in Phoenix involving a local business owner, which involved the use of ransom notes and coordinated surveillance efforts.

Savannah Guthrie, Guthrie's daughter and co-host of the 'Today' show, has publicly expressed desperation for information about her mother's disappearance, posting on Instagram urging anyone with knowledge to come forward. She stated in an August 1 Instagram post: "Our hearts are in ruins." She also stated: "Someone knows something. Someone suspects something. Someone recognizes the writing in the ransom demand notes." Guthrie was a retired teacher and community volunteer in Tucson, Arizona, with no prior criminal record or history of mental health issues, according to public records from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.

As of August 2026, the total reward offered for information leading to Guthrie’s safe return or the resolution of her case exceeds $1.1 million, including $1 million from the Guthrie family, $100,000 from the FBI, and $102,500 from the 88-CRIME program.

Why It Matters

The investigation involves a multi-agency effort led by the FBI and local authorities, reflecting the complexity of high-profile missing persons cases. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has a documented history of handling high-profile missing persons cases, including the 2019 disappearance of a local journalist, which resulted in a multi-agency task force and public awareness campaigns. The scale of the financial incentive, with rewards exceeding $1.1 million, reflects the urgency placed on resolving the case.

The conflicting nature of the ransom notes, with one claiming Guthrie was alive and another stating she had died, creates uncertainty regarding her status. The discovery of human remains in August, while not currently linked to Guthrie, adds another layer of complexity to the investigation in a region where authorities have noted increased illegal activity. The involvement of federal resources and the historical precedent of the task force resolving similar cases suggest a sustained and coordinated approach to finding answers.