Violent crime

Note Claims Savannah Guthrie's Mom Dead After Abduction

Did local law enforcement's turf wars hinder the Nancy Guthrie case or was cartel involvement never a credible lead?

Published JUN 23

Note Claims Savannah Guthrie's Mom Dead After Abduction

Story

Above: A photograph of Nancy Guthrie is seen on a sign that people can leave messages in Tucson, Arizona on Feb. 26. Image credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The Facts

A second note sent to media outlets after the Feb. 1 disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie, stated she had died shortly after her abduction and was buried in nature, according to law enforcement sources. The note did not include any ransom demands. Outlets were told of the new developments on Monday.
ABC News
FOX News
The first note, sent Feb. 2, demanded millions in bitcoin for Nancy Guthrie's release and included specific details about her home. The second note, sent Feb. 6, used similar language but contained no monetary demands, according to sources familiar with both notes.
BBC News
CBS News
Investigators believe both notes were sent by the same person or group and originated from the same computer IP address. No money or Bitcoin was sent in response to either note, which sources say has complicated efforts to track down suspects.
FOX News
CBS News
TMZ founder Harvey Levin disputed reports that the note his outlet received contained an apology or referenced Nancy Guthrie's death, saying it described her as "scared but OK." The Pima County Sheriff's Department directed questions about the notes to the FBI, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Guardian
CNN
After the second note was sent, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings posted a video on Feb. 7 addressing the kidnappers, saying, "We received your message and we understand" and offering to pay for their mother's return. Savannah Guthrie later said she believes the two notes her family responded to are authentic.
Variety
New York Post
BBC News
On Tuesday, Savannah Guthrie appeared on the "Today" show and, with tears on her face, urged anyone with information to come forward, saying "We are in agony." A combined reward of more than $1 million is being offered by the Guthrie family and authorities for information leading to Nancy Guthrie's recovery.
NBC Boston
USA Today

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

The Pima County Sheriff's Office dragged its feet bringing in the FBI to find high-level criminal operations, keeping federal investigators out for four days while critical evidence degraded. A hair sample sat in a private Florida lab for 11 weeks before the FBI even got access to it. That kind of turf protection actively hampered the search for Nancy Guthrie.

FOX News

Narrative B

The methods used in Nancy Guthrie's disappearance don't match how organized, high-level suspects like Mexican cartels typically operate. Investigators believe the crime has local ties, and the suspect caught on a doorbell camera showed sloppy, low-level behavior. A full investigation must be conducted, especially on local criminals.